Actively Recruiting
Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Linking Childhood Adversity to Increased Risk for Smoking
Led by Duke University · Updated on 2026-04-02
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
175 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
D
Duke University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how certain childhood experiences influences brain function and responses to nicotine exposure in a group of nonsmoking young adults. The investigators assess responses to nicotine exposure by giving participants a small amount of nicotine or placebo, and then asking them to answer questionnaires. The investigational drugs used in this study are a nicotine nasal spray (i.e., Nicotrol) and/or a nasal spray placebo (made of common kitchen ingredients, including a very tiny amount of pepper extract also called capsaicin). The investigators assess brain function through function magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is a noninvasive procedure that uses a magnetic field to take pictures of your brain while you are performing certain tasks. This study will help us to learn more about why some childhood experiences (adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs) contribute to increased risk for smoking and other substance use.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Linking Childhood Adversity to Increased Risk for Smoking
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Generally healthy
- Between 18 and 21 years old
- Never smoked a full cigarette or used an equivalent amount of other nicotine or tobacco products
- No tobacco exposure in the past 3 years
- Expired air carbon monoxide level less than or equal to 3 ppm
- Non-smoking status confirmed by 2 collateral reporters
- Breath alcohol value equals 0.000
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of illegal drugs as measured by urine drug screen
- History of illicit drug use more than 10 times lifetime
- Lifetime history of alcohol use disorder
- Binge drinking more than 5 times per month over the past 3 months
- History of serious mental illness including bipolar or psychotic disorders
- Significant medical or unstable psychiatric disorders
- Systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg or higher
- Heart rate 100 beats per minute or higher
- Use of psychoactive medications in the past 6 months
- Conditions making fMRI unsafe (e.g., pacemaker)
- Brain abnormalities such as stroke, tumor, or seizure disorder
- History of serious traumatic brain injury
- Claustrophobia
- Lack of firm resolve to refrain from tobacco use in the coming year
- Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Inability to understand written and/or spoken English
- Inability to attend all experimental sessions
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Maggie Sweitzer, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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