Effects of e-cigarette use on brain development in adolescents
Official title: Health Effects of E-cigarette Use on Brain Functions and Cognitive Development among Adolescents: A US Population-Based Study
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11055420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using e-cigarettes might change the way young people's brains work and develop, focusing on kids and teens aged 9 to 20, to help understand the risks of vaping compared to smoking regular cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $367,729 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060466-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 9 to 20 years who have used e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the adolescent age range or who have never used e-cigarettes or cigarettes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how using e-cigarettes affects brain functions and cognitive development in adolescents aged 9 to 20 years. By analyzing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the research aims to understand the impact of exclusive e-cigarette use compared to traditional cigarette smoking on brain structure and cognitive performance. The study will track changes over time, providing insights into the potential risks associated with vaping during critical developmental stages. This research is crucial for informing public health policies and regulatory actions regarding e-cigarettes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide valuable insights into the health risks of e-cigarette use, helping to shape effective prevention and intervention strategies for youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant effects of traditional cigarette smoking on adolescent brain development, but the specific impacts of e-cigarette use are still being explored, making this study particularly relevant and timely.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dai, Hongying Daisy — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dai, Hongying Daisy
Related research
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A long-term study will follow people who vape and non-vapers to see how vaping might influence heart and lung health over three years.
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Using Smart Machines to Understand How People Talk About Anti-E-Cigarette Campaigns on Social Media
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This project looks at whether exposure to e-cigarette content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube and a student's cultural background relate to vaping among Mexican American college students.
-
E-cigarette use and emphysema risk in young adults (VapeScan)
A study to understand whether vaping or traditional cigarettes cause early lung damage in young adults.
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How vaping affects teens' brains and thinking
This project looks at whether using e-cigarettes (vaping) changes brain development and thinking skills in children and teenagers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.