Gender and activation level in smokers

Studies on the enhancing effects of nicotine on performance are usually pha rmacological challenges using deprived male smokers, However, gender may be a factor that influences nicotine/smoking effects upon information process ing. We investigated gender differences in contingent negative variation (C NV) amplitude In non-deprived dependent smokers performing a go-no go react ion time paradigm. Female smokers did not differ from female non-smokers in both early and late CNV, whereas male smokers presented greater early and late CNV compared to male non-smokers and an alteration in inhibiting proce sses responsible for CNV development in the no go condition. Consistent wit h the evidence of gender differences in nicotine/smoking sensitivity, these preliminary results emphasize the need for taking into account gender in p sychophysiological research of nicotine/smoking effects. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.