Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Brain may be able to predict smoker's quitting success rate
By Staff Writer
It is estimated that 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women in the U.S. are smokers, according to the American heart Association. Of these individuals who have formed an addiction to tobacco, many may want to kick their habit or seek substance abuse help. The results of a recent study show that the brain may know if a smoker will follow through with their decision to quit smoking.
In the study, researchers tested 28 heavy smokers who were attempting to quit. Each of these participants was asked to complete a questionnaire.
The participants' brain activity was monitored as they were shown a series of television ads designed to help people quit smoking. After watching the ads, the smokers were asked to rate how effective they were.
After one month, the researchers followed up on the smokers' progress. The participants reported smoking an average of five cigarettes a day, which was an improvement over an average of 21 a day at the beginning of the study. The researchers then compared these self-reported results with neural activity from the smokers’ medial prefrontal cortex.
According to the researchers, activity in this area of the brain was linked to reductions in smoking. Based on their findings, the scientists found that neural activity can predict behavioral changes beyond an individual's own assessment of how they will do.
