# Acute effects of sweet flavoring and nicotine in e-cigarettes on brain activity during food decisions

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $206,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Use of e-cigarettes has become widespread in young adults. One factor motivating initiation and maintenance
of e-cigarette use is its perceived value in weight management. This is especially true among those with
overweight and obesity. However, the actual effects of e-cigarette use on appetite are not well characterized.
In the proposed work we will examine the impact of two common e-liquid constituents that may be relevant: 1)
sweet flavoring, and 2) nicotine content. Through THE USC-TCORS database of active research participants,
we will enroll thirty-two young adult daily e-cigarette users with BMI in the overweight or obese range.
Participants will complete a baseline session followed by four neuroimaging test-sessions, each after overnight
fast and abstinence from any nicotine products. At each neuroimaging session, participants will complete a 30-
min vaping protocol prior to testing. The content of the e-liquid for sessions will vary according to a 2 X 2
design varying flavor (Sweet+/Sweet-) and nicotine content (Nic+/Nic-), Subsequent to vaping, participants will
undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). During imaging participants will complete a task in
which they have the opportunity to bid real money on available food (half sweet and half savory), with the
possibility of consumption immediately following scanning (Food Bid Task). In past use of this task, we have
shown reduction in monetary bids and in MR-signal (a marker of neural activity) within brain regions linked to
appetite following oral consumption of non-nutritive sweetener (sweet taste without nutrients). Based primarily
on past work with cigarette smoke, we anticipate that nicotine will be associated with attenuation of activity
within brain regions linked to appetite during food decisions, and with reduced monetary bids. Possible effects
of sweet flavor are less clear, since both sensory-specific satiety (attenuation of appetite for similarly flavored
foods) and sensory-specific appetite (increased appetite for similarly flavored foods) have been reported when
aroma and taste is experienced without consumption. Participants will also complete a resting state scan using
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) to quantify any general effects of study variables on perfusion throughout the
brain. The proposed work leverages the multiple PIs expertise in e-cigarette use (Tackett), CNS regulation of
appetite (Page) and decision neuroscience (Monterosso). Findings will provide essential information for
understanding the connection between e-cigarette use and appetite.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10598091
- **Project number:** 5R21DA055878-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** John R Monterosso
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $206,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10598091

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10598091, Acute effects of sweet flavoring and nicotine in e-cigarettes on brain activity during food decisions (5R21DA055878-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10598091. Licensed CC0.

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