Research project examines nicotine
For more information on becoming a participant, call 453-3561. All participation remains confidential.
Smokers looking for some motivation to kick their nicotine cravings may want to participate in a research project underway at a laboratory in the Life Science II building.
SIUC!=s Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory is conducting two research projects that explore the psychological effects of quitting smoking and using the nicotine patch. The research is overseen by SIUC psychology professor David Gilbert.
Part of the study requires smokers to quit. Forty percent of smokers are given a nicotine patch, and another 40 percent has a placebo to use in place of the nicotine patch. The remaining 20 percent keeps smoking for 45 days.
During this time, the participants!= brain waves are studied, which is unique because the brain waves of withdrawing smokers usually aren't looked at beyond a 10-day period, Gilbert said. In addition to viewing the brain waves, participants are shown a combination of pleasant and disturbing images while their reaction is gauged.
To ensure that nicotine cravings don!=t overcome a participant's conscience, blood samples are regularly tested to ascertain that the smokers have stayed off tobacco. "We biochemically verify they've quit,? Gilbert said.
The participants are paid $500, a sum that keeps the involvement level high, Gilbert said.
"We use money to entice them" he said. "How can you research if you're ignoring 90 percent who went back [to smoking]??
The project has a long-term plan, with two years to go before the final results of the research are compiled, Gilbert said.
The second aspect of the research, which is expected to be finished in May, looks at how nicotine effects on smokers and non-smoker vary. Smokers and non-smokers come in for four sessions totaling 16 hours and are paid $160 for their time.
Using sophisticated equipment, students track eye movements as subjects study images, which are analyzed to note any differences in how the brain perceives objects.
Part of the research is done with placebo nicotine patches, and the identity of placebo patch-wearers is unknown while the testing is conducted, which helps avoid bias, said Jonathan Hammersley, a psychology major involved in the project.
About 300 people participating in the research have quit smoking, said Amy Skerly, database administrator and recruiter for the Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory. The research projects are supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Cancer Institute.
Michael Devleschoward, a psychology major, said he enjoys working with the people, and noted that participants often enjoy filling out questionnaires.
Although many participants are there to kick the smoking habit, they often ask a question not related to the research, Devleschoward said.
"The typical reaction from people is: 'When do I get paid?'" he said.
Reporter Ben Botkin can be reached at bbotkin@dailyegyptian.com
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