Imaging lung health effects of e-cigarette use

Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 MR Imaging of the Lung:E-cigarette Sub-study

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional University of Virginia · NCT04662658

This study is testing how e-cigarette use affects lung health in healthy young adults by using a special imaging technique to see how well their lungs work.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Virginia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Trial IDNCT04662658 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to investigate the health effects of e-cigarettes on the lungs of healthy young adults using a novel imaging technique called hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI. The study will assess lung function and gas exchange by quantifying regional ventilation and gas uptake in the lungs. Participants will include e-cigarette users and non-smokers, with careful monitoring of their health status and lung function. The goal is to provide insights into the potential pulmonary risks associated with e-cigarette use, which is currently poorly understood.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy young adults aged 21-30 who have been using e-cigarettes for more than six months and have no history of lung disease.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of lung disease or significant medical conditions that could affect lung function will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide critical data on the pulmonary effects of e-cigarettes, informing public health policies and individual health decisions.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on the effects of e-cigarettes, this specific approach using hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female subjects 21-30 years of age
2. At baseline health with no recent illnesses or medical conditions that would preclude enrollment as assessed by the Principal Investigator
3. Ability to understand a written informed consent form and comply with the requirements of the study.
4. E-cigarette use for more than 6 months preceding the date of enrollment and less than a 5 pack year smoking history (e-cigarette users) OR less than a 5 pack year smoking history (non-smoker group).
5. No diagnosis of any lung disease (pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC normal on the day of screening defined by \> 95thCI of NHANES III, ATS/ERS guideline)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of any lung disease
2. Control (non-smoking) group: History of illegal drug use by inhalation
3. History of CNS disease including stroke and dementia, end-stage liver disease, coronary artery disease, renal failure
4. Acute infection of any kind in the previous 6 weeks
5. Pregnancy or a possibility of pregnancy
6. Anemia
7. Inability to undergo MR imaging based on the standard clinical criteria for MRI

Where this trial is running

Charlottesville, Virginia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions E-Cig Usee-cigarette use with young adults
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.