This study investigated the heterogeneity of nicotine withdrawal syndrome (NWS)-associated cognitive deficits in smokers. Smokers completed a Parametric Flanker Task (PFT) during fMRI sessions under nicotine-sated and abstinent conditions. Based on PFT performance, smokers were divided into high (HTP) and low task performer (LTP) subgroups. HTPs showed greater vulnerability to abstinence-induced errors of omission and greater BOLD responses in attentional control regions. Functional connectivity analysis revealed abstinence-induced FC strength increases only in HTPs, correlated with errors of omission. The study suggests that HTP smokers demonstrate sustained attention deficits following abstinence, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Harshawardhan U. Deshpande, John R. Fedota, Juan Castillo, Betty Jo Salmeron, Thomas J. Ross, Elliot A. Stein