How ovarian hormones affect nicotine withdrawal in women
Official title: Sex Differences and The Influence of Ovarian Hormones on the Mechanisms that Promote Nicotine Withdrawal
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11045659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hormones in women affect the way they experience nicotine withdrawal compared to men, with the goal of finding better treatments for women who are trying to quit smoking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,536 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059359-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045659 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult women who are experiencing nicotine withdrawal or are at risk of nicotine addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not women or who do not experience nicotine withdrawal may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ovarian hormones influence the severity of nicotine withdrawal in women compared to men. It aims to understand the biological mechanisms that contribute to heightened stress responses during withdrawal, particularly focusing on the role of specific brain pathways. By studying these differences, the research seeks to identify potential targets for developing more effective treatments for nicotine addiction in women. The study will involve examining the effects of chronic nicotine exposure and withdrawal in animal models, specifically looking at the interactions between stress hormones and ovarian hormones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for nicotine addiction specifically tailored for women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that sex differences in addiction and withdrawal responses exist, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Odell, Laura Elena — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Odell, Laura Elena
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.