How a substance affects brain activity and smoking urges in young nondaily smokers
An MRI Study of Neural Activity Following Exposure to a Specific Substance in Young Cigarette Smokers
The study will test whether giving a specific substance changes brain activity, cigarette/e-cigarette craving, and impulsive choices in young adults who smoke on some days.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Oregon Health and Science University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Portland, Oregon) |
| Trial ID | NCT04281979 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will give participants either a study substance or a placebo and use functional MRI to measure substance-induced changes in brain activity. The trial enrolls right‑handed, English‑speaking young adults who smoke cigarettes or e‑cigarettes on 1–27 days per month and have had at least one recent binge‑drinking episode. During visits they will measure craving, impulsive choice, and craving regulation, then relate those measures to brain responses. Participants will be followed for one year to see how these brain and behavioral measures predict future cigarette use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Young adults aged 21–40 who are right‑handed, fluent in English, smoke cigarettes or e‑cigarettes on 1–27 days in the past month, have had at least one binge‑drinking episode in the past 90 days, and do not have current substance use disorders or MRI contraindications.
Not a fit: People with daily heavy smoking or moderate-to-severe nicotine dependence, current alcohol use disorder, frequent illicit drug use (beyond limited marijuana), pregnancy, or other MRI contraindications are unlikely to be eligible and would not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to targeted ways to help young nondaily smokers reduce or quit before smoking becomes lifelong.
How similar studies have performed: Previous fMRI and pharmacological challenge studies have linked brain responses to craving and impulsivity in smokers, but applying this approach specifically to nondaily young smokers with one‑year follow‑up is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be 21-40 years old * Right-handed * Fluent in English * Report smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes 1-27 days in the past month * Report binge drinking based on NIAAA criteria (5 or more drinks per occasion for males, 4 or more drinks per occasion for females) at least 1 time in the past 90 days without adverse incident Exclusion Criteria: * Seeking treatment for substance use (e.g. nicotine or alcohol use) * Moderate or Severe Nicotine Dependence * Current alcohol use disorder * Illicit substance use other than marijuana use in the past year * Marijuana use more than 10 times in the past year * Major neurological or medical illness - Significant head trauma - Current use of medication affecting the central nervous system * MRI contraindications (e.g. irremovable metal on the body or pregnancy)
Where this trial is running
Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Health and Science University — Portland, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Angelica M Morales, PhD
- Email: moralean@ohsu.edu
- Phone: 503-494-4221
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.