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
N/A
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
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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Linking Childhood Adversity to Increased Risk for Smoking
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Generally healthy
- Aged 18 to 21 years
- Never smoked a full cigarette or used an equivalent amount of nicotine or tobacco products
- No tobacco exposure in the past 3 years
- Expired air carbon monoxide level of 3 ppm or less
- Confirmation of non-smoking status from two collateral reporters
- Breath alcohol value equal to 0.000
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of illegal drugs as shown by urine drug screen
- History of illicit drug use more than 10 times in lifetime
- Lifetime history of alcohol use disorder
- Binge drinking more than 5 times per month over past 3 months
- History of serious mental illness such as 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 past 6 months
- Conditions making fMRI unsafe (e.g., pacemaker)
- Brain abnormalities including stroke, tumor, or seizure disorder
- History of serious traumatic brain injury
- Claustrophobia
- Lack of firm resolve to avoid cigarette, e-cigarette, or tobacco use in the coming year
- Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Inability to understand written or spoken English
- Inability to attend all experimental sessions
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants complete training to prepare for MRI tasks and acclimate to the mock MRI scanner.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo neuroimaging scanning sessions to examine brain reactivity during reward, inhibitory control tasks, and rest.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 3 separate visits over several days
Participants receive nicotine nasal spray or placebo during laboratory sessions and report subjective reactions.
3 visits (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants attend a final choice session to self-administer nicotine or placebo nasal spray.
1 visit (in-person)
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
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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