Investigating how young rats use electronic nicotine delivery systems
Official title: The Rodent Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (RENDS): Behavior, physiology, and epigenetics
Funded at Utah State University · NIH-10791933 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how young adult rats use flavored vaping devices to help us understand how nicotine affects their behavior and health, which could give us insights into how it impacts people too.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Logan, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $178,425 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA053818-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10791933 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be young adults who are at risk of nicotine addiction or are current users of electronic nicotine delivery systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use nicotine products or are not at risk for nicotine addiction may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how young adult rats interact with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), focusing on their behavior and physiological responses. By allowing the rats to voluntarily access flavored vapor through a specialized nose port, the study aims to better understand nicotine intake and its effects on the brain. The research will measure self-administration, blood levels of cotinine (a nicotine metabolite), and withdrawal symptoms to assess the impact of nicotine exposure. This approach addresses limitations of previous models by providing a more accurate representation of voluntary nicotine use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of nicotine addiction and inform strategies to prevent tobacco use in young people.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, previous studies have shown that understanding nicotine behavior in animal models can provide valuable insights into addiction mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State University
Logan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Odum, Amy — Utah State University
- Study coordinator: Odum, Amy
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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.