Impact of Flavors on Nicotine Perception and Self-Administration Via E-cigarettes

NCT ID: NCT04038515

Last Updated: 2024-08-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

54 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-10-27

Study Completion Date

2024-06-03

Brief Summary

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The goal of this application is to test whether menthol and fruit flavors impact e-cigarette use through dissociable mechanisms and exert their effects differentially across nicotine doses.

Detailed Description

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This study examines the impact of menthol and fruit flavors on self-administration of e-cigarette solutions containing varying amounts of nicotine. This is a randomized, double-blind study with a within-subject cross-over design, using e-liquids with 5 different flavors and 4 different levels of nicotine for a total of 20 different e-liquid formulations. Each subject will participate in 4 test sessions. The order of flavor and nicotine delivery will be randomized. At each test session, they will undergo directed self-administration, in a randomized order, then an ad libitum self-administration session where they can choose among all of the e-cigarettes used during the directed session. The primary aims assess the impacts of nicotine and flavor (and their interactions) on participants' subjective ratings of the e-liquids during the 'directed' self-administration component, and self-administered puffs during the ad libitum self-administration component. In addition, the study will explore the impact of sex/gender and sensitivity to nicotine aversiveness or bitterness (as operationalized by genetic variations in the alpha-5 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that influences the aversive effects of nicotine, or a taste receptor number 38 ( TAS2R38) important for bitterness perception) on study outcomes.

Conditions

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Nicotine E-liquid Flavors

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

This is a within-subject, cross-over design. Participants will be invited to complete 4 test sessions. Across those 4 test sessions, participants will self-administer e-cigarettes containing all 20 e-liquid conditions (4 nicotine \* 5 flavor conditions) in both 'directed' and ad libitum self-administration study components. The order of nicotine and flavor will be randomized across participants.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators
This is a double-blind study. Although participants will receive all conditions in this within-subject cross-over study, the participant and researcher will be blinded to the order of e-liquid conditions (nicotine level, flavor) across and within test sessions.

Study Groups

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E-liquid Order 'A'

Order 'A' for E-liquid Self-Administration: All participants will be given all e-liquids (i.e., all 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations (4 nicotine\* 5 flavor combinations)) in this within-subject, cross-over design study. Participants will be randomized the order in which they self-administer the 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations of e-liquid (across and within the 4 visits). The specific order cannot be described here without disrupting the double-blind nature of the study design.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nicotine 0 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing no nicotine (0 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 6 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing low nicotine (6 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 12 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing medium nicotine ( 12 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 24 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing high nicotine ( 24 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

'Menthol' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Menthol/Mint' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol/mint' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Green Apple' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'green apple' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Watermelon' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'watermelon' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Unflavored'

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing no additional flavor (i.e., 'unflavored') will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

E-liquid Order 'B'

Order 'B' for E-liquid Self-Administration: All participants will be given all e-liquids (i.e., all 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations (4 nicotine\* 5 flavor combinations)) in this within-subject, cross-over design study. Participants will be randomized the order in which they self-administer the 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations of e-liquid (across and within the 4 visits). The specific order cannot be described here without disrupting the double-blind nature of the study design.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nicotine 0 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing no nicotine (0 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 6 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing low nicotine (6 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 12 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing medium nicotine ( 12 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 24 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing high nicotine ( 24 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

'Menthol' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Menthol/Mint' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol/mint' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Green Apple' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'green apple' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Watermelon' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'watermelon' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Unflavored'

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing no additional flavor (i.e., 'unflavored') will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

E-liquid Order 'C'

One nicotine level condition is a medium nicotine e-liquid (12 mg/mL nicotine). All participants will be given all e-liquids (i.e., all 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations (4 nicotine\* 5 flavor combinations)) in this within-subject, cross-over design study. Participants will be randomized the order in which they self-administer the 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations of e-liquid (across and within the 4 visits). The specific order cannot be described here without disrupting the double-blind nature of the study design.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nicotine 0 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing no nicotine (0 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 6 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing low nicotine (6 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 12 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing medium nicotine ( 12 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 24 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing high nicotine ( 24 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

'Menthol' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Menthol/Mint' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol/mint' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Green Apple' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'green apple' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Watermelon' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'watermelon' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Unflavored'

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing no additional flavor (i.e., 'unflavored') will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

E-liquid Order 'D'

One nicotine level condition is a high nicotine e-liquid (24 mg/mL nicotine). All participants will be given all e-liquids (i.e., all 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations (4 nicotine\* 5 flavor combinations)) in this within-subject, cross-over design study. Participants will be randomized the order in which they self-administer the 20 nicotine\*flavor combinations of e-liquid (across and within the 4 visits). The specific order cannot be described here without disrupting the double-blind nature of the study design.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nicotine 0 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing no nicotine (0 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 6 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing low nicotine (6 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 12 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing medium nicotine ( 12 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Nicotine 24 mg/mL

Intervention Type DRUG

E-liquid containing high nicotine ( 24 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

'Menthol' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Menthol/Mint' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'menthol/mint' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Green Apple' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'green apple' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Watermelon' flavor

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing 'watermelon' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

'Unflavored'

Intervention Type OTHER

E-liquid containing no additional flavor (i.e., 'unflavored') will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Interventions

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Nicotine 0 mg/mL

E-liquid containing no nicotine (0 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Intervention Type DRUG

Nicotine 6 mg/mL

E-liquid containing low nicotine (6 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Intervention Type DRUG

Nicotine 12 mg/mL

E-liquid containing medium nicotine ( 12 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Intervention Type DRUG

Nicotine 24 mg/mL

E-liquid containing high nicotine ( 24 mg/mL nicotine) will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 5 flavor conditions (1 unflavored, 2 menthol, and 2 fruit conditions).

Intervention Type DRUG

'Menthol' flavor

E-liquid containing 'menthol' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Intervention Type OTHER

'Menthol/Mint' flavor

E-liquid containing 'menthol/mint' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Intervention Type OTHER

'Green Apple' flavor

E-liquid containing 'green apple' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Intervention Type OTHER

'Watermelon' flavor

E-liquid containing 'watermelon' flavor will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Intervention Type OTHER

'Unflavored'

E-liquid containing no additional flavor (i.e., 'unflavored') will be self-administered via e-cigarettes. This will be administered in 4 nicotine conditions (0, 6, 12, 24 mg/mL nicotine).

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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nicotine nicotine nicotine nicotine menthol menthol fruit fruit unflavored

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18 to 30;
* Past month daily nicotine-containing e-cigarette, cigarette, and/or cigar/little cigar/cigarillo use;
* Urine cotinine levels consistent with regular nicotine use (e.g., NicAlert urine cotinine dipstick ≥3 or Accutest Positive for Cotinine);
* For females, using acceptable birth control methods;
* Able to provide written informed consent;
* Able to read and write in English;
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures (including self-administration of all e-liquid conditions; attend in-person sessions; comply with COVID guidelines of the research facilities) and lifestyle considerations (including overnight nicotine abstinence) and availability for the duration of the study;
* Cardiovascular measures in normal/ non-hypertensive range for adults, including resting heart rate (HR) of 60-100 bpm; blood pressure (BP) of equal to or less than 129 mmHg (systolic)/80 mmHg (diastolic)); and oximeter (i.e., blood oxygenation) readings of 95-100 SpO2;
* Resident of the State of Connecticut.

Exclusion Criteria

* Any allergy or known hypersensitivity to propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, menthol, mint, green apple or watermelon flavorants or history of allergic or hypersensitive reaction to use of an e-cigarette/vaping device;
* Has not used e-cigarettes at least 10 times in the last 6 months;
* For females, pregnant (as determined by pregnancy screening) or breast feeding;
* Seeking (or undergoing) treatment for nicotine dependence or tobacco product use (smoking or vaping) or has current plans to quit tobacco product use;
* Meet current criteria for psychiatric disorder (according to the MINI);
* Current or history of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia with COVID-19 , other medical illness, and/or psychotropic medication use that a clinician investigator deems a contraindication for study participation.
* History of environmental - bronchospastic allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, or other airway sensitivities that require the use of an epi pen or that in the investigators view would make it risky for participation;
* Not fully vaccinated for COVID-19
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Yale University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Elise DeVito, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Yale University

Locations

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Yale University School of Medicine

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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R01DA046360

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

2000025408

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

2000029704

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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