Peripheral inflammation and PSD-95 levels are associated with structural brain changes in individuals with nicotine...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Rising electronic cigarette (e-cig) use among adolescents and young adults.
• Unclear associations between e-cig use, systemic inflammation, and brain structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the relationship between e-cig consumption, systemic inflammation, and brain structure.
• Compare inflammatory markers and gray matter volume (GMV) across different substance use groups.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 215 participants (e-cig users, traditional cigarette users, dual users, healthy controls).
• Quantified peripheral blood markers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), S100β, neuron-specific enolase, and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95).
• Assessed gray matter volume (GMV) using voxel-based morphometry.

Main Results:

• Significant GMV differences in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), Heschl's gyrus, thalamus, and cerebellum.
• E-cig users showed higher S100β, lower PSD-95, and reduced right thalamus GMV compared to healthy controls.
• Correlations found between inflammatory biomarkers, PSD-95, and GMV in the STG and thalamus.

Conclusions:

• E-cig consumption is associated with altered brain structure and peripheral inflammatory markers.
• Suggests a potential link between systemic inflammation and brain GMV changes in e-cig users.
• Highlights the need for further research into the neurological effects of e-cig use.