- Award mechanisms
- Research Priorities
- Social and behavioral prevention and treatment
- cancer health disparities
- Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease
- Environmental Exposure and Toxicology
- Neuroscience of Nicotine Addiction and Treatment
- Oral Diseases and Dental Health
- Pulmonary Biology and Lung Diseases
- State and Local Tobacco Control Policy Research
- Other tobacco-related health effects
- award processes
- Past Calls for Applications
- Key Dates
Neuroscience of nicotine addiction and treatment
TRDRP supports innovative research that addresses the biology of nicotine addiction and treatment, with the objective of understanding and reducing commercial tobacco product use, particularly in populations that consistently have the highest smoking rates.
Examples of relevant research topics:
- Use of multidisciplinary approaches (genetic, molecular, cellular, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, cognitive, behavioral and/or developmental) to identify genetic variants and neurological biomarkers associated with nicotine dependence, metabolism and treatment responses.
- Identify potential age-related differences in progression toward nicotine addiction, nicotine withdrawal, and nicotine behavioral adaptation.
- Develop therapeutic strategies for nicotine overdose, strategies to prevent/overcome nicotine relapse after cessation, strategies to improve smoking cessation rates among heavy smokers, and therapeutic strategies for youth with nicotine dependence.
- Discern potential health effects of flavorants or tobacco products containing non-menthol synthetic cooling agents (e.g., WS-3 and WS-23), nicotine alkaloids (nicotyrine) and synthetic nicotine (metatine and meta-nicotine) on neurological health and behavior.
- Determine the neurological mechanisms underlying nicotine and/or dual use with cannabinoids including the involvement of reward circuits in relation to social cues/lifestyle rituals, indicators of stress, and psychiatric disorders.
- Probe the potential mechanisms for nicotine to alter neuronal cells and brain circuits and/or induce behavioral changes by engaging nicotine receptors in different regions of the brain and non-nicotinic or unknown off-target sites implicated in nicotine use.
- Translate innovative research findings of tobacco and nicotine impacts on the brain and behavior to improve cessation treatment outcomes.
- Assess how the increasing potency of tobacco and cannabis products—such as products with high nicotine concentrations in vapes and cannabis with elevated THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels—affects patterns of use, the development of dependence, and health outcomes over time.