Clonidine pre-treatment fails to block acute smoking-induced EEG arousal/mood in cigarette smokers

Given the arousal eliciting actions of smoking and nicotine, and the contributing role of noradrenaline in brain arousal systems, this study examined the neuroelectric and affective correlates of cigarette smoking following acute pre-treatment with the alpha 2-noradrenergic auto-receptor agonist, clonidine. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, quantitative electroencephalography (EEG), mood, and smoking withdrawal symptoms were assessed in 12 overnight smoking abstinence smokers, before and after sham and cigarette smoking. Orally administered clonidine (0.1 mg) failed to alter overnight smoking abstinence symptoms or the EEG arousal and mood-elevating response seen with the smoking of a single cigarette. The results are discussed in relation to neural mechanisms underlying the acute reinforcement maintaining nicotine use.