The Role of Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Alkaloids in E-Cigarette Use and Dependence — Ecig1  

Nicotine Dependence Clinical Trial

Official title: The Role of Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Alkaloids in E-Cigarette Use and Dependence

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The advent of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) technologies represents one of the most significant developments in the last several decades, and provides a novel and promising strategy for substantially reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with smoking. However, serious concerns have been raised regarding the possibility that e-cigarettes will sustain a dependency on nicotine and that they may lead to continued use of conventional cigarettes known to be extremely harmful to health. Cigarette addiction critically involves a dependence on nicotine, but it is likely that other tobacco constituents contribute to dependence as well. Recent evidence suggests that non-nicotine tobacco alkaloids, or NNTAs (including anabasine, anatabine, nornicotine, and myosmine) may play a role in tobacco dependence. These alkaloids have been shown to augment the reinforcing effects of nicotine in animal models and to affect cravings in human smokers. E-cigarettes contain variable quantities of nicotine and NNTAs, but there is virtually no information available concerning the role of e-cigarette nicotine or NNTA content in influencing the concurrent use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, when smokers attempt to switch from conventional combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Additionally, it is not known whether the presence of nicotine and NNTAs in e- cigarettes may sustain dependence, making it difficult to relinquish these products. The proposed project will assess the acceptability, extent of switching behavior, and degree of dependence maintained when smokers are provided with e-cigarettes containing nicotine and NNTAs.

Clinical Trial Description

A single group of thirty smokers will be recruited for the study to provide initial data to inform follow-up randomized controlled trials. Dependence and concurrent use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes will be assessed by a battery of self-report, biochemical, and behavioral indices. This is not a tobacco cessation study and there is no intent to use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation treatment. Smokers will be asked to use the e-cigarettes instead of their regular cigarettes during the study. E-cigarettes will not be used for the purpose of reducing urges, withdrawal or nicotine dependence; and e-cigarettes will not be described or used as a medical device or therapy. Specific Aim 1: To assess the extent of switching from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes delivering nicotine along with NNTAs. Switching will be assessed by self-report diaries and by reductions in expired air carbon monoxide, an index of combustible cigarette use. Specific Aim 2: To assess the acceptability of e-cigarettes delivering nicotine along with NNTAs. Ratings of user satisfaction and other subjective effects will be collected from participants, for both their customary brand of cigarettes and the e-cigarette to be used. Specific Aim 3: To determine the extent of dependence maintained during use of e-cigarettes delivering nicotine with NNTAs, as well as the relationship between dependence and self-reported use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Nicotine Dependence
• Tobacco Use Disorder

• NCT number: NCT02590393
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Duke University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: May 21, 2021
• Completion date: January 13, 2022