Childhood trauma may rewire brain to crave nicotine
NCT ID NCT05665465
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at how difficult childhood experiences might change brain function and make people more likely to start smoking. Researchers will give a small dose of nicotine or a placebo to 150 nonsmoking young adults aged 18-21, then use brain scans and questionnaires to measure their reactions. The goal is to understand the link between childhood adversity and nicotine addiction risk.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol) and placebo nasal spray
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could help explain why some childhood experiences increase the risk of smoking, potentially guiding future prevention efforts.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase study with only 150 participants, so findings may not apply broadly. It measures brain activity and subjective effects, not long-term smoking behavior.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Duke University Medical Center
RECRUITINGDurham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••