Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center
Project IMAGE: Neurobehavioral Correlates of Adolescent Nicotine Dependence
Principal Investigator:
Alessandra Kazura, MD
Funding Source
Brown Collaborative on Translational Brain Research and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Description
Adolescent nicotine dependence continues to be a significant public health problem. Nicotine dependent adolescents are likely to smoke throughout their lives and to die prematurely from smoking related illnesses. This pilot project explores several brain processes that may be a critical link to understanding how adolescents become addicted and why they have a difficult time quitting smoking. The study uses functional Magnetic Brain Imaging (fMRI) to probe brain reactivity to smoking cues and to “reward” decision-making.
Significance
The study has the potential for increasing our understanding of why adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of addiction. The study may also point the way to novel strategies to improve treatment for adolescent nicotine dependence.
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