Effects of acute subcutaneous nicotine on attention, information processing and short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease.

What Was Tested

Researchers studied Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) in this controlled clinical trial publication.

The study extends their previous findings obtained using smaller groups of subjects.

Drug effects were examined on three computerised tests: the first measuring rapid visual information processing, sustained visual attention and reaction time (RVIP task); a delayed response matching to location-order task measuring sustained visual attention and visual short-term memory (DRMLO task); and a finger tapping test measuring simple reaction time (FT task).

Who Took Part

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults, middle-aged adults and older adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a single-blind and placebo-controlled study.

Only one side, usually the participants, was kept unaware of whether Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) was given.

Some participants received a placebo instead of Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide), giving a reference point.

What Was Measured

Drug effects were examined on three computerised tests: the first measuring rapid visual information processing, sustained visual attention and reaction time (RVIP task); a delayed response matching to location-order task measuring sustained visual attention and visual short-term memory (DRMLO task); and a finger tapping test measuring simple reaction time (FT task).

The critical flicker fusion test (CFF) was used as a measure of perception and the WAIS digit span forwards (DS), of auditory short-term memory.

The subject headings attached to it are Alzheimer Disease, Analysis of Variance, Attention, Memory, Short-Term, Mental Processes, Neuropsychological Tests and Nicotine.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a single-blind and placebo-controlled study of Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide).

The publication is from 1992 (Psychopharmacology), a journal based in Germany.

More context: the Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) compound page, all human trials.