Pleasant olfactory cues can reduce cigarette craving.
Michael A Sayette, Mary A Marchetti, Rachel S Herz...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30985171Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 49Years
All Genders
ID04902469
Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms Underlying an Olfactory Approach to Modify Cigarette Craving: A Neurobehavioral Investigation
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2025-07-03
250
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
N
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how pleasant smells (olfactory cues) may reduce cigarette craving by studying brain and behavioral responses. This study involves adult smokers aged 18 to 49, including daily and nondaily smokers. The research uses brain imaging (fMRI) and behavioral tests to explore how pleasant smells affect craving after exposure to smoking cues. The study aims to understand brain mechanisms and emotional responses linked to craving and how these differ between pleasant and neutral smells. Participants are randomly assigned to either a pleasant odor group or a neutral odor (odor blank) group. During three visits, participants undergo assessments including breath carbon monoxide tests, odor sampling, smoking cue exposure, and either pleasant or neutral smell exposure. The first visit includes baseline measures and odor testing. The second visit involves a 60-minute fMRI scan with tasks to measure brain activity related to craving and cognition. The third visit collects behavioral data and measures craving and emotional reactions using devices and facial coding. After these visits, participants complete a 7-day diary on their smartphone to record craving and smoking in daily life. Throughout the study, participants provide self-reports, undergo brain scans, and complete behavioral tasks to measure craving and emotional responses. Researchers track how pleasant versus neutral smells impact craving brain states and urge to smoke. They also analyze neural patterns, emotional reactions, and craving changes using various tasks and assessments. Safety screening includes MRI eligibility and odor allergy checks. The study lasts approximately one week for lab visits plus 7 days of daily monitoring, aiming to provide data for future clinical research on craving reduction.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms Underlying an Olfactory Approach to Modify Cigarette Craving
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 49Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 18-49
- Right-handed
- Fluent in English
- Intact sense of smell
- Pass MRI safety screening and weigh 250lbs or less
- No drug dependence other than nicotine or caffeine
- Daily smokers: smoke 10-30 cigarettes per day for at least 12 months
- Nondaily smokers: smoke 1-14 days of the last 30 days with no more than 20 cigarettes a day
- Access to a working smartphone for daily assessments
You will not qualify if you...
- Medical conditions that contraindicate nicotine use
- Not fluent in English
- Illiterate
- Current neurological or psychotic disorders
- Current psychoactive drug use
- MRI contraindications such as stroke history, pregnancy, metal in the body, aneurysm history, or serious head injury
- Allergies to odors used in the study
- Baseline CO readings outside specified ranges for daily or nondaily smokers
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 telephone screening
Enrollment and Baseline Assessment
Duration - 1 day
Participants visit the lab for approximately 1 hour to complete a standardized assessment that characterizes the sample.
1 visit (in-person)
First Experimental Session (fMRI)
Duration - 1 day
Participants abstain from smoking for at least 8 hours, then undergo odor sampling, cigarette cue exposure to induce craving, and either a pleasant or neutral olfactory cue during a 60-minute fMRI scan.
1 visit (in-person, including 60-minute fMRI scan)
Second Experimental Session (Behavioral)
Duration - 1 day
Participants abstain from smoking for at least 8 hours, then complete odor sampling, cigarette cue exposure, and administration of either the pleasant or neutral olfactory cue with behavioral assessments of craving and affect.
1 visit (in-person)
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Monitoring
Duration - 7 days
Participants monitor their cigarette cravings daily over 7 days while data is collected on the effects of pleasant versus neutral olfactory cues on real-life cravings.
Daily assessments via smartphone
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15260
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
M
Michael A Sayette, PhD
M
Marc N Coutanche, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Effects of olfactory stimuli on urge reduction in smokers.
M A Sayette, D J Parrott
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10340155