Rationale: It has often been demonstrated that both tobacco abstinence and nicotine have effects on the EEG power spectrum and components of the event-related potentials. In contrast, few attempts have been made to establish the dose-response relationship between nicotine and EEG parameters.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship for EEG and auditory oddball P300 parameters over a wide range of intravenously infused nicotine doses.
Method: Fourteen regular smokers who had abstained from nicotine for at least 12 h were given intravenous infusions of 0, 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 micrograms/kg nicotine over 10 min in a single-blind randomised cross-over design. Parallel recordings of spontaneous EEG, auditory P300 and heart rate, as well as venous blood sampling were made before, during and after nicotine administration.
Results: Linear dose-related decreases of delta and theta power were found, along with increases in alpha2 power and alpha peak frequency. Alpha1, beta and P300 parameters were unaffected.
Conclusion: Our results are consistent with nicotine-dependent changes in EEG measures indicative of arousal.