# Neural basis of eating behavior in abstinent smokers

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $524,992

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Following initial smoking cessation, smokers increase their daily caloric intake significantly, an effect
observable on day one and lasting for weeks or months. Indeed, within one year, ~50% of abstaining smokers
gain >11 lbs. and ~15% gain >22lbs. As such, weight gain is often cited as a primary reason for returning to
smoking. While many pharmacologic and behavioral interventions to reduce post-cessation weight gain
(PCWG) have been tested, these tend to be ineffective or to have short-lived benefits. Thus, novel therapeutic
approaches are urgently needed. This will require identifying new intervention targets based on an improved
understanding of the neurobehavioral mechanisms linking smoking cessation and overeating. Toward this end,
this project breaks new ground by integrating concepts and tools from the fields of behavioral economics and
cognitive neuroscience to accelerate the study of neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying PCWG. The
primary aims of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study are: (1) To identify effects of initial
smoking cessation on food-related brain activity and behavior; (2) To evaluate the relative contribution of these
brain and behavioral processes to post-cessation caloric intake; and (3) To compare baseline differences
between smokers and non-smokers. This study will use a validated within-subject cross-over fMRI study
design to compare working memory, food cue reactivity, reinforcing value of food, and caloric intake during a
4-day period of “smoking as usual” vs. a 4-day period of mandatory abstinence (order of conditions
counterbalanced). On day 4 of each period, participants will undergo fMRI while completing measures of
working memory, food cue reactivity, and food reinforcement. 24-hour daily food recalls will be completed at
baseline and during each study period to calculate overall caloric intake and intake of high fat and high sugar
foods. The study will include and non-smoking comparison group that undergoes one phase of the study.
Support for our predictions would inform testing of novel adjunctive treatments to prevent PCWG, such as
computerized neurocognitive exercise training. Further, pre-treatment measures of cognitive may identify
smokers who are most likely to need more intensive treatment to manage PCWG.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980825
- **Project number:** 5R01DA041409-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** James W Loughead
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $524,992
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980825

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980825, Neural basis of eating behavior in abstinent smokers (5R01DA041409-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980825. Licensed CC0.

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