European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:  In India smoking and tobacco dipping are major health problems and one of the largest preventable causes of disease and premature death. Nicotine has been reported to improve attention, learning, reaction time (RT), problem solving, and stimulus evaluation and discrimination. Previous research has established that cholinergic systems are important for cognitive functioning and nicotine is a potent cholinergic stimulant that affects many central nervous system (CNS) pathways, including the auditory pathway. It is a measure of function of sensory­ motor association and performance of an individual. It involves stimulus processing, decision making, and response programming. Material and Methods: This is a Prospective, observational, comparative study was conducted in the Departments of Physiology at Index Medical College. Audio-visual reaction time – Measurement of reaction time is a simple test which is measured by ‘audiovisual reaction time apparatus’ (Anand agency, Pune). Reaction time is a commonly used parameter for measuring implicit learning. In measurement of reaction time subject was asked to respond by pressing the button as soon as he had received the stimulus in the form of sound or light. The apparatus provides both auditory (low and high pitched sounds) and visual (red and green) stimuli. The arrangement consists of a source of stimulus, response key and the time recording device. The response is given by the subject by pressing a key with his index finger. Results: In the present study, in age groups ART values were significantly different (Graph-1) in all three groups, ART and VRT values increase in control, smokers and dipping tobacco users as age advances. As regards ART values, age group 31-40 years differs significantly from age group 11-20 years and 21-30 years (p<0.05), similarly age group 41-50 years differs significantly from age groups 11-20 years, 21-30 years and 31-40 years. As regards, VRT values age groups differ from each other but age group 41-50 years differ significantly from age group 11-20 years and age group 21-30 years.  Conclusion: Significant difference was also observed after smoking and after 12 hours of abstinence in study group subjects. This indicated increased reaction time required for integration process in CNS and delayed conduction in reflex arc after abstinence. Thus, the evidence presented in this article supports that temporary abstinence from nicotine has adverse effect on reaction time which may force them to smoke again. Health education and nicotine replacement therapy may help them to achieve the ultimate goal of complete cessation from smoking.