Using Nicotine to Reverse Age-related Auditory Processing Deficits

Description

The present study will evaluate the effects of both aging and nicotine on psychophysical tasks and electrophysiological measures. Nicotine will be administered to study participants in the form of gum that is available as an over-the-counter medication. The hypothesis is that nicotine will reverse the detrimental effects of aging on auditory processing. The proposed experiments will characterize the effects of nicotine and may eventually lead to improved treatments of hearing loss in a variety of patient populations and in healthy aging.

Conditions

Auditory Perceptual Impairment, Aging

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The present study will evaluate the effects of both aging and nicotine on psychophysical tasks and electrophysiological measures. Nicotine will be administered to study participants in the form of gum that is available as an over-the-counter medication. The hypothesis is that nicotine will reverse the detrimental effects of aging on auditory processing. The proposed experiments will characterize the effects of nicotine and may eventually lead to improved treatments of hearing loss in a variety of patient populations and in healthy aging.

Using Nicotine to Reverse Age-related Auditory Processing Deficits: Human Psychophysics and Electrophysiology

Using Nicotine to Reverse Age-related Auditory Processing Deficits

Condition
Auditory Perceptual Impairment
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Irvine

Hearing and Speech Lab, Irvine, California, United States, 92697

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * between 18 and 85 years of age
  • * non-smokers with a score of 0-2 out of 10 maximum on the Fagerström index of smoking dependency
  • * cognitive performance within two standard deviations of the CERAD mean
  • * less than 18 or greater than 85 years of age
  • * deafness or excessive hearing loss
  • * smokers with a score between 3 and 10 on the Fagerström index of smoking dependency
  • * history of psychiatric illness, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, or cardiovascular disease
  • * regular use of prescription medications (excluding oral contraceptives)
  • * drug dependency

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of California, Irvine,

Fan-Gang Zeng, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of California, Irvine

Study Record Dates

2026-06-30