How ovarian hormones affect nicotine withdrawal in women

Sex Differences and The Influence of Ovarian Hormones on the Mechanisms that Promote Nicotine Withdrawal

NIH-funded research University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11045659

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas El Paso NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (El Paso, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045659 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult women who are experiencing nicotine withdrawal or are at risk of nicotine addiction.

Not a fit: Patients who are not women or who do not experience nicotine withdrawal may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

El Paso, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions addictive disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.