Effects of nicotine on PAS-induced neuroplasticity in the healthy human

Introduction: Nicotine enhances cognitive performance in humans probably based on nicotinergic effects on neuroplasticity. So far these effects could just be shown in animal experiments. Aim of our study is therefore to explore the nicotinergic modulation of PAS-induced neuroplasticity in healthy humans. Results from animal studies have shown, that nicotine is a strong inductor and modulator of cortical activity and neuroplasticity (Gu 2002). Hereby it has an impact on processes of learning and memory, not only in animals but also human beings (Poorthuis et al. 2009). The intention of our study is to explore the…