Past Issues
Breath Carbon Monoxide Possibly Influences Change in Cue-induced Skin Conductance Level in Heroin Users
Shih-Hsien Lin, Shuo-En Hsu, Kao Chin Chen, Tzu-Yun Wang,Hsin Chun Tsai, Wei Tseng Chen, I Hui Lee, Po See Chen, Yen Kuang Yang
Objectives: Cigarette-smoking which may alter the autonomic nervous system, is prevalent among heroin users. But whether the expired air carbon monoxide (CO) level is associated with physiological responses induced by cues in heroin
users is unclear. In this pilot study, we intended to probe the association between breath CO level and the change in the cue-induced skin conductance level (SCL) in patients with heroine use. Methods: We measured the breath CO levels of heroin users who smoked (n = 17, 13 males and 4 females), their SCLs, during neutral video and cue video exposure. Results: An association was found between a high breath CO concentration and cue-induced SCL elevation (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The finding implied that a high CO level caused by cigarette smoking is associated with automatic responses induced by heroin-related cues in patients with heroine use. To control for CO level when using the SCL as a variable in addiction- and substance-related studies, is important.
users is unclear. In this pilot study, we intended to probe the association between breath CO level and the change in the cue-induced skin conductance level (SCL) in patients with heroine use. Methods: We measured the breath CO levels of heroin users who smoked (n = 17, 13 males and 4 females), their SCLs, during neutral video and cue video exposure. Results: An association was found between a high breath CO concentration and cue-induced SCL elevation (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The finding implied that a high CO level caused by cigarette smoking is associated with automatic responses induced by heroin-related cues in patients with heroine use. To control for CO level when using the SCL as a variable in addiction- and substance-related studies, is important.
| Key Word | carbon monoxide, craving, heroin, smoking |
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