SIUC Smoking and Pyschophysiological Laboratory
SIUC SMOKING RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Smoking and Psychophysiology Laboratory at SIUC is dedicated to the study of addictive behaviors, focusing on the effects of smoking and smoking cessation in humans. Specifically, the lab conducts basic research in the neuroregulatory effects of nicotine and smoking.
The Director of the Smoking and Psychophysiological Laboratory is Dr. David Gilbert, who has been working in the area of nicotine dependence for the past twenty years. Dr. Gilbert was responsible for the development of a mechanized system for delivering reproducible doses of cigarette smoke to humans. The Quantifies Smoke Delivery System (QSDS) is the first of its kind in the country. The QSDS allows for controlled dosing of cigarette smoke/nicotine in order to assess individual sensitivity to nicotine. Dr. Gilbert will co-host a conference in Washington, D.C. For more information, click here.
Projects currently underway include:
- Quit Smoking Research Program This study investigates individual differences in response to quitting smoking. The goal of this program is to better understand the nicotine dependence and withdrawal process in female smokers. The results of this study will contribute to the identification of factors specific to smoking in women that could be used as the basis for the development of more effective treatment strategies.
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- Attention Deficit Disorders Ritalin Use and/or Smoking The Laboratory also examines the relationship between addictive and other behavioral disorders. The relationship between smoking, various attentional and learning disorders, and Ritalin use is being investigated. The study involves the assessment of the effects on smoking on brain wave activity and visual-perceptual task performance.
- To find out more, click here.
- Individual Responses to Smoking This is a two-part study designed to examine the relationship between smoking and smoker’s thought processes. Individual differences in cardiovascular and subjective responses to smoking will be assessed with the aid of the QSDS. The aim of the study is to identify factors that may lead to dependence on smoking/nicotine.
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- Dissemination of Research The results of the Smoking and Psychophysiological Laboratory research are presented at professional meetings and in scientific journals and government reports. The Smoking Laboratory staff also meet with community leaders and other researchers in the community, ensure timely dissemination of pertinent research findings, and collaborate on future research projects of interest.
- Training The Smoking and Psychophysiological Laboratory provides pre-doctoral candidates and post-doctoral fellows with a grounding in smoking research and psychophysiological assessment, including training in research methodologies and involvement in ongoing-research projects. Formal course work and supervised training are available in a variety of areas, including psychophysiological assessment, substance abuse treatment, and psychopharmacology. In addition, clinical internships are available at community mental health centers and substance abuse treatment centers.
Related Links
David G. Gilbert, Ph.D., Director
More coming soon...Smoking and Psychophysiological Laboratory
Psychology Department Life Science II, Room 278 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Office: (618) 453-3561 Fax: (618) 453-3563
David G. Gilbert, Ph.D., Director
