# Electroretinogram: a new human biomarker  for smoking cessation treatment

> **NIH NIH K23** · NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC · 2021 · $199,800

## Abstract

Project Title: Electroretinogram: A New Human Biomarker for Smoking Cessation Treatment
Project Summary: In this application for a K23 Mentored Patient Oriented Research Career Development
Award, Dr. Sean Luo proposes a comprehensive plan for developing into an independent researcher to
develop biomarkers in substance use disorders, and in particular, tobacco use disorder. Specifically, this
proposal will focus on developing a new human biomarker, electroretinogram, for dopamine release. Tobacco
smoking continues to be a major public health challenge. Several lines of evidence suggest that dopamine
release deficit is involved in the development and maintenance of nicotine dependence. We hypothesize that
those smokers who do not have a deficit in dopamine release will more likely respond to behavioral treatments
for smoking cessation, and in particular, financial incentives contingent on abstinence (Contingency
Management). Previous pilot data suggest that flash blue cone electroretinogram (ERG), which records
electrical signals from the retina in response to light, is a clinically accessible correlate to dopamine release in
the brain. We propose an ERG-based biomarker, and a pilot clinical trial to apply this biomarker to personalize
smoking cessation treatment. This clinically tractable biomarker of central dopamine release may have a large
number of future applications in the diagnosis and treatment of other mental illnesses and substance use
disorders. While pursuing this line of research with the expertise of his mentors (Dr. Edward Nunes and Dr.
Frances Levin) and preceptors (Drs. Diana Martinez, Stephen Tsang, Alan Budney and Jill Williams), Dr. Luo
will concurrently engage in an individualized training program so as to develop in the following important areas:
(1) retinal physiology and biomarker development (2) retinal data analytic methods (3) clinical research
methods (4) behavioral and pharmacological treatment of tobacco use disorder (5) grant writing and
administration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10180928
- **Project number:** 5K23DA042136-05
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** Sean Xiao Luo
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $199,800
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10180928

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10180928, Electroretinogram: a new human biomarker  for smoking cessation treatment (5K23DA042136-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10180928. Licensed CC0.

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