Understanding how brain mechanisms affect smoking and appetite regulation

Neural mechanisms mediating appetitive regulation and smoking in nicotine addiction

NIH-funded research University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-10596991

This study is looking at how nicotine addiction affects the brain and appetite, and it’s testing whether a special training program called Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement can help people gain better control over their smoking and cravings. If you join, you'll have brain scans before and after the 4-week program to see how it might change your smoking habits.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10596991 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the brain pathways involved in nicotine addiction and how they relate to appetite regulation. It aims to determine if cognitive training, specifically Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), can help reshape brain function and improve self-control over smoking and cravings. Participants will undergo brain imaging before and after a 4-week training program and will be monitored for changes in smoking behavior. The study seeks to bridge the gap in understanding how these brain mechanisms operate in humans.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult smokers aged 21 and older who are seeking help to quit smoking and improve their appetite regulation.

Not a fit: Patients who do not smoke or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that help individuals manage nicotine addiction and improve their appetite control.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using cognitive training approaches to modify addictive behaviors, suggesting potential success for this study.

Where this research is happening

Columbia, 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.
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.