Chronic transdermal nicotine patch treatment effects on cognitive performance in age-associated memory impairment

Chronic transdermal nicotine has been found to improve attentional performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about chronic nicotine effects in age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), a milder form of cognitive dysfunction. The current study was performed to det...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychopharmacologia 2004-02, Vol.171 (4), p.465-471
Main Authors: WHITE, Heidi K, LEVIN, Edward D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Cutaneous
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - drug effects
Aging - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Cognition - drug effects
Cognition - physiology
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Memory Disorders - drug therapy
Memory Disorders - psychology
Middle Aged
Neuropharmacology
Nicotine - administration & dosage
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychomotor Performance - drug effects
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time - drug effects
Reaction Time - physiology
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Summary:Chronic transdermal nicotine has been found to improve attentional performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about chronic nicotine effects in age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), a milder form of cognitive dysfunction. The current study was performed to determine the clinical and neuropsychological effects of chronic transdermal nicotine in AAMI subjects over a 4-week period. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study consisted of two 4-week periods separated by a 2-week washout period. An outpatient setting was used. The subjects ( n=11) met criteria for AAMI. The subjects were given nicotine patches (Nicotrol) to wear for 16 h a day at the following doses: 5 mg/day during week 1, 10 mg/day during week 2 and week 3 and 5 mg/day during week 4. The effects of nicotine treatment were determined with the clinical global impressions questionnaire, Conners' Continuous Performance test, and the automated neuropsychologic assessment metrics (ANAM) computerized neuropsychology battery. Nicotine significantly improved the clinical global impression score as assessed by participants, as well as objective tests of attentional function on the Connors' Continuous Performance Test and decision reaction time on the neuropsychology test battery. Nicotine did not improve performance on other tests measuring motor and memory function. Chronic transdermal nicotine treatment in AAMI subjects caused a sustained improvement in clinical symptoms and objective computerized tests of attention. These results support the further investigation of nicotinic treatment as a promising therapy for AAMI.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/s00213-003-1614-8