Reactions to Reduced Nicotine Cigarettes in Young Adult Low-Frequency Smokers
Nicotine DependenceThe purpose of this study is to evaluate reactions to, and choices to self-administer, cigarette smoke with varying nicotine content among low-frequency, non-dependent adolescent/young adult smokers between the ages of 15-25 years.
E-Cigarettes: Dynamic Patterns of Use and Health Effects
SmokingNicotine DependenceThe proposed research will provide in-depth, longitudinal data, based on real-time reports, which will address key priorities for the FDA including, increased understanding of the relations between electronic cigarette (e-cig) use and 1) nicotine dependence, 2) reductions in combustible cigarette (CC) use, 3) attempts to quit CC use and the success of those attempts, and 4) health-related outcomes such as biomarkers of exposure and carcinogenicity.
tDCS Effects on Resisting Smoking: Dose Ranging Study
Nicotine AddictionBehaviors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and sedentary behavior have far-reaching health implications. These modifiable behaviors account for a substantial proportion of deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and take a significant economic toll. Yet, many unhealthy behaviors are very resistant to change, despite widespread knowledge of the risks. Although theories of behavior change have been advanced to explain the persistence of these behaviors, few consider the neurobehavioral underpinnings. These approaches also fail to address a fundamental aspect of behavior change - an individual's ability to exert sufficient self-control to overcome temptations for immediate gratification and/or to maintain attention to long-term goals. With advances in the neuroimaging field, the investigators are learning where and how self-control over decisions and behaviors is executed in the brain. This work points to the central role of neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) in self-control processes that contribute to healthy choices. Further, emerging evidence shows that activity in the prefrontal cortices and cognitive control circuits can be modulated using a noninvasive and safe intervention: direct current transcranial stimulation (tDCS). The investigators pilot study, IRB study #820231, demonstrated that a single session of 1mA tDCS increased the ability to resist smoking in a validated smoking lapse paradigm. The current study will use a between-subject design to investigate the dose/response relationship between tDCS (administered at 1mA, 2mA, or sham stimulation for three sessions) and ability to resist smoking.
Tobacco Pilot Study for Low Income Smokers
Tobacco Use DisorderPilot study to test feasibility of delivering a motivational smoking cessation intervention to low income smokers via a computer tablet.
Online Lapse Management Intervention
Nicotine DependenceCigarettesThe purpose of the trial is to test the adjunctive effect of adding a lapse management system to a best practices web- and mobile smoking cessation program.
The Neural Basis of Cue-Elicited Cigarette Craving and Its Control
Nicotine DependenceBackground: - One kind of drug craving, known as cue-elicited craving, occurs when a drug user who sees a drug-related cue (such as an image of someone using the drug) begins to feel a craving for the drug. Researchers are interested in studying how cue-elicited craving affects brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) data. Objectives: - To determine which parts of the brain are associated with or involved in controlling cue-related craving in smokers. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 50 years of age who are current smokers (10 or more cigarettes per day) and agree to try to abstain from smoking for 1 week during the experiment. Design: Participants will visit a clinical center for up to four scanning sessions, and will be asked to perform two or three outpatient tasks at home over the course of the study. Scan 1: Training session with a mock fMRI scanner, followed by an actual fMRI scanning session and EEG in which participants respond to pictures. Outpatient Task 1: Tolerance test with nicotine patch (worn for 8 hours, followed by 12 additional hours without cigarette use). Scans 2 and 3: Training session and fMRI scan and testing with either nicotine patch or placebo. Tasks in fMRI involve looking at cues, reporting craving and suppressing craving. Outpatient Task 2: Participants will keep an electronic diary for 10 to 14 days, responding to questions as directed by the researchers. Scans 4 and 5: Training session, fMRI scan and EEG, and testing in which participants will be instructed on methods to attempt to control cravings. Outpatient Task 3: Participants will keep an electronic diary for 14 days. For the first 7 days, participants will be asked to attempt to abstain from nicotine; participants may smoke normally on the second 7 days. Participants will be contacted 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the end of the study for follow-up questions on current smoking habits.
Screening Protocol for Research Participants
SchizophreniaSubstance Abuse2 moreThe Screening Protocol is a system devised to evaluate potential research participants for National Institute on Drug Abuse/Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (NIDA/MPRC) studies.
Effects of Nicotine on Areas of Impaired and Preserved Functioning in Schizophrenia
Nicotine DependenceSchizophreniaBackground: Some people with schizophrenia have problems with their working memory and paying attention for extended periods. These difficulties cannot be treated with antipsychotic medications or with many standard therapies. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among individuals with schizophrenia is about three times higher than in the general population. Research has shown that nicotine, the addictive component found in cigarettes, can help improve attentional and working memory performance. Researchers are interested in learning more about whether there may be an overlap in the cognitive functions beneficially affected by nicotine and areas of dysfunction in individuals with schizophrenia. Objectives: To evaluate the potential of transdermal nicotine to alleviate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, and to determine whether naturally maintained cigarette-smoking, in comparison, is an effective self-medication. To gather preliminary data on genetics that may account for individual and group differences in the performance effects of nicotine. Eligibility: - Current smokers (25 or more cigarettes per week for at least 1 year) between 18 and 55 years of age who are either healthy volunteers or have been diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Design: The study will require five visits to the research center, with an initial screening visit, a training session, and three test sessions. Ideally, all visits will occur 1 week apart. Training session: Participants will receive training on the types of computerized cognitive and attentional behavior tests that will be given during the active portion of the study. Participants will also fill out questionnaires on nicotine use and other alcohol and drug use. Test sessions: Participants will be assigned to random groups and will complete tests that assess cognitive performance (a) while maintaining their usual smoking behavior, (b) after minimal deprivation (3.5 hours without smoking) while wearing a placebo patch, and (c) under the influence of a standard nicotine patch. The order of these sessions will be different for individual participants. Participants will provide blood samples throughout the research study for evaluation purposes.
A Feasibility Study of Smoking Cessation Program in Radiation Oncology
Cancer and Tobacco AbuseTo test the feasibility of an intensive behavioral and pharmacologic tobacco cessation program for radiation oncology patients and their families/companions.
A Survey on Consumer Use of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Nicotine Patches
Nicotine DependenceTobacco Use DisorderSince 1996, the nicotine patch has been re-classified from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) status in the United States. Little is known about how the public uses the OTC nicotine patch due to lack of monitoring. The purpose of this observational study is to describe the characteristics of consumers who purchase OTC nicotine patches from community pharmacies and to determine the factors associated with the appropriate use of nicotine patches.