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Cigarette smoking and impulsivity in bipolar disorder
Jaimee L Heffner1, David E Fleck, Melissa P DelBello
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA. jaimee.heffner1@gmail.com
Bipolar Disorders
|October 2, 2012
Summary
Trait impulsivity is linked to starting smoking in people with bipolar disorder, but not to continuing it. This finding helps understand smoking behaviors in this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- High prevalence of smoking in bipolar disorder necessitates understanding contributing factors.
- Limited research exists on impulsivity's role in smoking initiation and maintenance within this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between trait impulsivity and the initiation or maintenance of smoking in individuals with bipolar disorder.
- To differentiate the impact of impulsivity on smoking initiation versus maintenance.
Main Methods:
- 97 adolescents and adults (ages 16-50) with bipolar I disorder during manic/mixed episodes participated.
- Trait impulsivity assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11).
- Behavioral impulsivity measured via Logan Stop-Signal Task (SST), Delayed Reward Task (DRT), and Degraded Stimulus Continuous Performance Task (DSCPT).
Main Results:
- Individuals who currently or formerly smoked reported higher trait impulsivity on the BIS-11 compared to never smokers.
- No significant differences in behavioral impulsivity measures were found across smoking status groups.
- Trait impulsivity was associated with smoking initiation, but not maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Trait impulsivity is a significant factor in initiating cigarette smoking among individuals with bipolar disorder.
- Behavioral impulsivity, as measured by cognitive tasks during symptomatic periods, does not appear to be associated with smoking in this population.
- Findings suggest targeted interventions for smoking prevention in bipolar disorder should consider trait impulsivity.
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