Rate dependent effects of acute nicotine on risk taking in young adults are not related to ADHD diagnosis

► This is the first report of the effects of cholinergic agents on the BART. ► ADHD subjects were not higher in risk taking than non-impulsive controls. ► There were rate dependent effects of nicotine and mecamylamine on BART performance. ► This study has implications for disorders characterized by pathological risk taking.