The proposed study will evaluate sex differences in whole-brain glutamate (Glu), with a focus on the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), anterior insula, and thalamus, as well as how it is influenced by sex (males vs. females), smoking state (overnight abstinent vs. sated), and circulating ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in women. Glu will be measured in almost the entire brain, with special focus on the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), anterior insula, and thalamus, all of which have been implicated in behavioral states linked to tobacco withdrawal, using an echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) variant of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Serum ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) will be measured for female participants to determine relationships between brain Glu and this hormone. Whole-brain Glu will be measured in 60 smokers (30 men, 30 women) twice, after overnight (\~12 h) abstinence and after participants smoke the first cigarette of the day.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
58
UCLA Semel Institute
Los Angeles, California, United States
Circulating Ovarian Hormone: Estrogen - in overnight abstinent smokers
Estrogen assayed via a blood sample
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Circulating Ovarian Hormone: Progesterone - in overnight abstinent smokers
Estrogen assayed via a blood sample
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Whole Brain Glutamate
Measured by EPSI acquisition in overnight abstinent smokers
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Nicotine Metabolite Ratio
Measured by blood sample
Time frame: Measured before smoking a cigarette at a single timepoint
Urge to Smoke Scale (UTS)
This is a 10-item self-reporting questionnaire that measures cigarette craving
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Shiffman-Jarvik Withdrawal Scale (SJWS)
This is a 25-item self-reporting questionnaire that measures psychological withdrawal
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
This is a 20-item self-reporting questionnaire that measures positive and negative affect
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety (STAI)
This is a 20-item self-reporting questionnaire that measures anxiety
Time frame: Measured before and after smoking a cigarette across a period of 2 hours
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