Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Linking Childhood Adversity to Increased Risk for Smoking
Duke University
Summary
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.
Description
Individuals with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those without, but little is known about the factors that account for this increased risk. This study will examine brain function in regions related to reward processing and inhibitory control, along with reactions to initial nicotine exposure to help explain why ACEs lead to increased risk for smoking. In this study, young adult non-smokers ages 18-21 (n=150) with a history of exposure to ACEs ranging from 0 to 4 or more will be enrolled to attend 7 visits including an MRI scan and admi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–21 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. generally healthy 2. 18-21 years of age 3. never smoked a full cigarette or used an equivalent amount of other nicotine or tobacco products 4. no tobacco exposure in the past 3 years 5. expired air CO level ≤ 3 ppm 6. corroboration of non-smoking status from 2 collateral reporters 7. breath alcohol value = 0.000 Exclusion Criteria: 1. use of illegal drugs as measured by urine drug screen 2. reported history of illicit drug use \> 10 times lifetime 3. lifetime history of alcohol use disorder 4. binge drinking \> 5 times per month over the past 3 months 5. history of se…
Interventions
- DrugNicotine nasal spray 0.5 mg
Participants will be administered nicotine nasal spray and provide subjective reactions
- DrugPlacebo
Participants will be administered placebo nasal spray and provide subjective reactions
Location
- Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina