Rapid visual information processing RVIP

Lawrence and colleagues (2002) explored the neural substrates of nicotine effects on sustained attention using the rapid visual information processing (RVIP) task. Smokers (n = 15) received either placebo or 21-mg transdermal nicotine patch prior to testing. Matched nonsmokers (n = 14) were tested under similar conditions, but did not receive a nicotine patch. Relative to the placebo condition, the smokers in the nicotine condition demonstrated improved task performance and increased neural activity in the parietal and occipital cortices, the thalamus and caudate, and decreased activity in left frontal, anterior and posterior cingulate, insula, and left parahippocampal regions (see Fig. 3). As noted by the authors, previous studies... 

Fig. 3 Activation difference between the rapid visual information processing (RVIP) and control tasks in smokers after administration of placebo and nicotine patches. The graphs show the percent change in activation (from baseline) during performance of each task in smokers in the two drug conditions. After receiving nicotine, smokers demonstrated better task performance and more task-related activity in the parietal (A and B) and occipital (C and D) cortices compared to the parallel measures after they received placebo (Kumari et al. 2003)...

FTND Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence RVIP rapid visual information processing NA not applicable DLPFC dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex Data shown for FTND and pack-years are means for the smokers Pack-years = packs of cigarettes smoked per day x number of years smoked... 

---