Brain scans reveal why some smokers struggle to quit
NCT ID NCT03442413
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at how quickly the body breaks down nicotine and how that affects brain receptors in smokers. Thirteen adult smokers will have PET brain scans after different periods of not smoking, and will receive a tiny amount of nicotine during the scan. The goal is to understand why some people have a harder time quitting, which could lead to better ways to help them stop smoking.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
2-[18F]-FA (a radioactive tracer) and intravenous nicotine
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help explain why some smokers find it harder to quit, potentially guiding personalized smoking cessation treatments.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-phase study with only 13 participants, so results may not apply to all smokers. It is designed to gather knowledge, not to test a treatment.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
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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Locations
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States