A large (n = 86), recent study (Fallon et al. 2004) further characterized this decreased global activity with nicotine administration. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET was performed while smokers and exsmokers performed the Bushman aggression task (designed to elicit an aggressive state) and wearing either a 0, 3.5-, or 21-mg nicotine patch. Smokers who were rated high on the personality trait hostility had widespread cerebral metabolic decreases while wearing the 21-mg patch and performing the aggression task. Low-hostility smokers did not have these changes during PET, suggesting that personality profile may determine which smokers have global metabolic decreases in response to nicotine.
