A study on the relationship between the frequency components that significantly change in smokers’ EEGs during smoking image stimulation and smoking experience

In smoking cessation treatment, although the results of smoking cessation introduction by drug therapy have been improving, the high relapse rate remains an issue. Under such circumstances, attempts have been being made to apply neuroscience knowledge of nicotine’s effects on the brain and psychology to psychoeducation and support for smoking cessation. In this study, in order to deepen the knowledge, we clarify the frequency components that significantly change in the EEGs of smokers and non-smokers when they are stimulated with smoking images. In addition, we clarify the relationship between the smoker group in which the significant frequency component changes remarkably and the smoking experience. EEG data were recorded when 19 subjects （9 smokers and 10 nonsmokers） viewed smoking still images and smoking movies, and a significant difference test and cluster analysis were performed. As a result, at the electrode position AF7 on the left frontal region, a significant difference（ p<0.05） was observed for α1, α2,α3, β1,β2, θ1 and θ2 waves in smoking still images. Also, a significant difference（ p<0.05） was observed for α1,α2, α3, β1 and β3 waves in smoking movies. In addition, as a result of performing cluster analysis using these components in which significant differences were observed, smokers who smoked cigarettes with a long smoking history　and high nicotine content were classified into the same cluster in the smoking still images.