Study of Brain Responses to Nicotine and Childhood Adversity in Healthy Non-Smoking Young Adults Ages 18 to 21

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how certain childhood experiences, called adverse childhood experiences ACEs, affect brain function and reactions to nicotine in young adults who do not smoke. The study aims to understand why people with ACEs are more likely to start smoking and use other substances. It focuses on brain areas involved in reward and self-control by examining responses to nicotine exposure in a controlled setting. Participants will receive nasal sprays containing either a placebo or small doses of nicotine 0, 0.5, or 1 mg during several visits. The study includes brain scans using functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI while participants perform tasks related to reward and control. The study also involves sessions where participants choose to self-administer nicotine or placebo sprays, with careful monitoring by medical staff. Throughout the study, participants will attend seven visits including screening, training with a mock MRI, brain imaging, and nicotine exposure sessions. Researchers will collect breath and urine samples to check for recent smoking or substance use, as well as blood samples to measure nicotine levels. They will assess subjective effects of nicotine, brain activity changes, and reinforcing effects of nicotine nasal spray. The entire participation period spans several weeks with close safety monitoring.

Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Linking Childhood Adversity to Increased Risk for Smoking