How electronic nicotine devices affect seizure risk
Official title: Electronic nicotine device systems (ENDS)-induced alterations in glutamate homeostasis: Effects on seizure susceptibility
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10810964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using e-cigarettes, especially among young people, might make them more likely to have seizures by affecting brain chemicals, and it hopes to help us understand the health risks of vaping.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $396,590 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS131301-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young individuals who use electronic nicotine devices and may be at risk for seizures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use electronic nicotine devices or have no history of seizures are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential link between electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and increased seizure susceptibility, particularly in young users. It aims to understand how exposure to nicotine and flavorings, such as menthol, alters glutamate homeostasis in the brain, which may lead to seizures. Using a rodent model, the study will examine the biological effects of ENDS on neuronal function and seizure activity. The findings could provide insights into the health risks associated with ENDS use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of the health risks of electronic nicotine devices, potentially informing public health policies and safety regulations.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been reports of seizures associated with ENDS use, this specific investigation into glutamate homeostasis and seizure susceptibility is novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Susan Latoya — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Susan Latoya
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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.