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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: 

  • The molecular, cellular and behavioral effects of nicotine, with and without flavorants, on the developing brain 
  • Development of therapeutic strategies for nicotine-addicted youth and young adults
  • Effects of flavorants and other constituents of vape product aerosol on nicotine addiction 
  • Addictive potential of combined nicotine and cannabinoid use in specific priority populations  
  • Studies of brain connectivity and interaction between neural pathways utilized by different agonists (e.g., glutamatergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, etc.) in response to nicotine 
  • Neuroimaging studies to identify brain changes and biomarkers associated with nicotine addition
  • Studies to investigate the long-term impacts of nicotine addiction in association with cognitive abilities across the lifespan

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