Perkins Kenneth A, Kunkle Nicole, Karelitz Joshua L
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2017 Apr;234(8):1255-1265. doi: 10.1007/s00213-017-4563-3. Epub 2017 Feb 16.
The lowest threshold content (or "dose") of nicotine discriminated in cigarettes may differ due to menthol preference.
Menthol and non-menthol Spectrum research cigarettes differing in nicotine content were used to determine discrimination thresholds.
Dependent smokers preferring menthol (n = 40) or non-menthol (n = 21) brands were tested on ability to discriminate cigarettes (matched for their menthol preference) with nicotine contents of 16-17, 11-12, 5, 2, and 1 mg/g, one per session, from an "ultra-low" cigarette with 0.4 mg/g. Controlled exposure to each cigarette was four puffs/trial, and the number of sessions was determined by the lowest nicotine content they could discriminate on >80% of trials (i.e., ≥5 of 6). We also assessed subjective perceptions and behavioral choice between cigarettes to relate them to discrimination responses.
Controlling for Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence score, discrimination thresholds were more likely to be at higher nicotine content cigarettes for menthol vs. non-menthol smokers (p < .005), with medians of 16 vs. 11 mg/g, respectively. Compared to the ultra-low, threshold and subthreshold (next lowest) cigarettes differed on most perceptions and puff choice, but menthol preference did not alter these associations. Notably, threshold cigarettes did, but subthreshold did not, increase choice over the ultra-low.
Threshold for discriminating nicotine via smoking may be generally higher for menthol vs. non-menthol smokers. More research is needed to identify why menthol smoking is related to higher nicotine thresholds and to verify that cigarettes unable to be discriminated do not support reinforcement.
由于对薄荷醇的偏好，香烟中可辨别的最低尼古丁阈值含量（或“剂量”）可能会有所不同。
使用尼古丁含量不同的薄荷醇和非薄荷醇光谱研究香烟来确定辨别阈值。
对偏好薄荷醇（n = 40）或非薄荷醇（n = 21）品牌的依赖吸烟者进行测试，以确定他们辨别尼古丁含量分别为16 - 17、11 - 12、5、2和1毫克/克（每次测试一种）的香烟（与他们对薄荷醇的偏好相匹配）与尼古丁含量为0.4毫克/克的“超低”香烟的能力。每次对每支香烟进行四次抽吸，测试次数由他们在超过80%的测试中（即6次中有≥5次）能够辨别的最低尼古丁含量决定。我们还评估了对香烟的主观感受和行为选择，以将它们与辨别反应联系起来。
在控制尼古丁依赖程度的Fagerstrom测试分数后，薄荷醇吸烟者与非薄荷醇吸烟者相比更有可能在尼古丁含量较高的香烟上达到辨别阈值（p < 0.005），中位数分别为16毫克/克和11毫克/克。与超低尼古丁含量香烟相比，阈值和阈下（次低）香烟在大多数感受和抽吸选择上存在差异，但薄荷醇偏好并未改变这些关联。值得注意的是，阈值香烟会增加对超低尼古丁含量香烟的选择，而阈下香烟则不会。
与非薄荷醇吸烟者相比，薄荷醇吸烟者通过吸烟辨别尼古丁的阈值可能普遍更高。需要更多研究来确定薄荷醇吸烟与更高尼古丁阈值相关联的原因，并验证无法辨别的香烟是否不支持强化作用。
