HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Brandon Henderson, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, has been awarded a Research Project Grant (R01), one of the most competitive grants issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to study the impact of synthetic coolants in vaping products.
The five-year $1.85 million grant (DA060846) seeks to address critical gaps in understanding nicotine addiction. As bans on menthol in nicotine-containing products are implemented, synthetic coolants—some with chemical structures similar to menthol—are increasingly being used, raising public health concerns. Henderson’s research will focus on determining how synthetic coolants impact nicotine’s abuse potential and their role in addiction-related behaviors, particularly among adolescents.
“Securing an NIH R01 grant is a significant achievement that reflects the strength and innovative impact of Dr. Henderson’s research,” said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), Marshall University vice president for health affairs and dean of the medical school. “Nicotine addiction remains a major public health challenge and understanding how synthetic coolants influence addiction-related behaviors is critical as vaping products continue to evolve. This research will provide valuable insights into our understanding of mechanisms of addiction and will serve to guide future regulatory decisions and improve health outcomes.”
Henderson’s study utilizes advanced technologies to explore the connection between vaping behaviors and biological changes associated with nicotine addiction. The research is structured around three key components: behavioral analysis using electronic vapor self-administration assays in mice to assess nicotine initiation and reinforcement in the presence of synthetic coolants; biomarker identification to link nicotine abuse liability with the upregulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a critical indicator of addiction; and neurophysiological evaluation through electrophysiology and fiber photometry to examine brain activity.
“By incorporating the same electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and e-liquids commonly used by adolescent vapers, this study will ensure high translational relevance to real-world public health concerns,” Henderson said.
This is Henderson’s second R01 grant award. Since joining Marshall’s faculty in 2017, Henderson has authored or co-authored 44 papers in peer-reviewed journals, presented his work nationally in 40 invited talks and has previously received R00 and R21 grants from the NIH. The R01 is the original and historically oldest grant mechanism used by NIH. The R01 provides support for health-related research and development based on the mission of the NIH.