The effects of nicotine on the 13 Hz steady-state visually evoked potential

Objectives: The: high alpha/low beta range of the spontaneous EEG appears t o be particularly sensitive to the effects of nicotine. The present study e xamined the acute effects of nicotine on the topography of the 13 Hz steady -state visually evoked potential (SSVEP). Methods: Thirteen moderate smokers participated in a repeated-measures desi gn. The amplitude and latency of the SSVEP elicited by an unstructured sinu soidal 13 Hz flicker following a <0.05 mg nicotine cigarette were compared to those following a 0.8 mg nicotine cigarette. Results: The nicotine condition was associated with an increase in the ampl itude of the SSVEP, when compared to the placebo condition, and this increa se was greatest in central and right parietal regions. The latency of the S SVEP was reduced in the nicotine condition in bilateral frontal and right p arietal regions. Conclusions: These results are similar to the effects of nicotine seen in s tudies examining spontaneous EEG, and are consistent with other studies ind icating that the 13 Hz SSVEP indexes brain electrical activity in the high alpha/low beta range. The findings are discussed in terms of possible funct ional significance of nicotine-induced cortical activation in this frequenc y range. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.