Understanding Nicotine Use in People with Diabetes
Official title: Preventative Biomarkers and Potential Pharmacotherapies for Nicotine Use and Diabetes
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11126726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores why people with diabetes might be more likely to use nicotine and looks for new treatments to help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $153,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145551-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126726 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for individuals interested in the underlying causes of nicotine use in the context of diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options for nicotine dependence or diabetes will not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
This project uses animal models to understand the complex relationship between diabetes and nicotine use, especially focusing on how these issues affect women. Researchers want to discover if changes in the body related to diabetes, like insulin resistance, make nicotine more appealing or lead to stronger dependence. They will also test if certain medications can help reduce nicotine dependence in these models. The goal is to uncover the biological reasons behind this connection and find new ways to prevent and treat nicotine use in people living with diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or strategies to help people with diabetes avoid or quit nicotine use.
How similar studies have gone: This work builds on prior pre-clinical findings that suggest a link between insulin signaling disruption and nicotine's rewarding effects.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
-
Retinal signals in early diabetes and how they affect vision
This grant looks at how diabetes changes the signals in the retina that control vision, with a focus on inner retinal cells and how these changes may lead to vision problems.
-
Integrated Heart Health: A HEARTS-based approach to hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala
A study tests a team-based, stepwise care model to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for people with both hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala.
-
Bringing WHO HEARTS-D diabetes care into Bangladesh cities
A program to help urban clinics in Bangladesh adopt WHO HEARTS-D guidelines to improve detection, treatment, and control of type 2 diabetes.
-
AI-powered fundus imaging to screen for type 2 diabetes
A mobile AI tool uses eye images to help screen adults for type 2 diabetes in clinics or communities.
-
AI-powered eye imaging to screen for type 2 diabetes with a mobile phone
A plan to use AI on smartphone retinal images to help spot type 2 diabetes early, especially in people who may not have easy access to care.
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.