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Neuroscience of nicotine addiction and treatment

Advance innovative research that addresses the biology of nicotine addiction and treatment, with a goal of understanding and reducing tobacco use in populations that consistently have the highest smoking rates.

TRDRP supports innovative research that addresses the biology of nicotine addiction and treatment, with a goal of understanding and reducing commercial tobacco product use in populations that consistently have the highest smoking rates. 

Examples of relevant research topics: 

  • Identify potential genetic, molecular, cellular, neuroimaging, cognitive, behavioral and/or developmental effects of nicotine on the brain. 
  • Studies of the potential for age-related differences in sensitivity and progression toward nicotine addiction and/or nicotine withdrawal. 
  • Development of therapeutic strategies for nicotine overdose, and preventative/therapeutic strategies for nicotine-addiction across the lifespan.  
  • Discern the health effects of flavorants , or tobacco products containing non-menthol synthetic cooling agents (e.g., WS-3 and WS-23). 
  • Understand the impact of vape product design and constituents of vape aerosol (including non-menthol cooling agents) on product preference, use and propensity toward nicotine addiction or cessation. 
  • Determine the potential impact of combined nicotine and cannabinoid use in nicotine addiction. on specific priority populations.  
  • Studies of brain connectivity and interaction between neural pathways utilized by different agonists (e.g., glutamatergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, etc.) in nicotine addiction and withdrawal. 

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