Effects of cigarette smoking status on delay discounting in schizophrenia and healthy controls

BackgroundDelay discounting is a measure of future-oriented decision-making and impulsivity. Cigarette smoking is associated with rapid discounting of the value of delayed outcomes. In schizophrenia, however, cigarette smoking improves certain neurocognitive impairments associated with the disorder which may explain the high smoking rates in this population. This study examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and delay discounting in schizophrenia and control participants.MethodsA total of N = 130 participants, including those with schizophrenia (n = 68) and healthy controls (n = 62) were assessed on the Kirby Delay Discounting Task and compared across smoking status (smokers; non-smokers) and smoking history (current, former; never smokers).ResultsSmokers exhibited higher discounting rates (i.e., were more impulsive) than non-smokers of the same diagnostic group. Current and former smokers with schizophrenia exhibited similar and significantly higher discounting rates than never smokers, suggesting that in schizophrenia delay discounting is a trait-dependent phenomenon independent of current cigarette smoking. Consistent with previous studies, there was a trend for higher discounting rates in control current smokers compared to control former and never smokers.ConclusionsSmokers with and without schizophrenia have higher rates of delay discounting than non-smokers. However, in schizophrenia, rapid delay discounting appears to be a trait associated with having ever been a smoker (i.e., current and former smoking).

► Schizophrenia and control smokers discount delayed rewards more than non-smokers.
► In controls, current smokers delay discount more than former and never smokers.
► In schizophrenia, current and former smokers delay discount more than never smokers.
► Delay discounting in schizophrenia may be a trait-associated with having ever smoked.
► Delay discounting may be a treatment target for cigarette smoking in schizophrenia.