Effects of vaping on adolescent brain health
Official title: Project 2 - Impact of Adolescent Vaping on Brain Health
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11077346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how vaping nicotine affects the brains of young people aged 12 to 20, focusing on how it might impact their attention, memory, and emotions, to help understand the risks of vaping during these important years of brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $267,239 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA269048-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who use vaping products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not vape or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how vaping nicotine impacts brain development in adolescents aged 12 to 20. It focuses on understanding the effects of nicotine and other chemicals found in vaping products on brain regions responsible for attention, memory, and emotional processing. The study aims to explore how different vaping habits and product characteristics influence brain health during this critical developmental period. By examining these effects, the research seeks to provide insights into the potential risks associated with adolescent vaping.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for the negative impacts of vaping on adolescent brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that nicotine affects brain structure and function, but the specific impacts of vaping are still being explored, making this a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitlow, Christopher T — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Whitlow, Christopher T
Related research
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How vaping prevention ads affect teens and young adults
A nationwide project looks at which vaping-prevention video ads work best for teens and young adults and how they might reduce vaping when shown online.
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Motivation-based teen vaping profile to guide quitting help
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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.