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Duke Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research (CNSCR)
Hock Plaza
2424 Erwin Rd. Suite 201
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 668-5055
The Duke CNSCR is a research facility dedicated to
finding the biological causes behind smoking addiction.
Under the direction
of Jed Rose, Ph.D., the co-creator of the nicotine skin patch, the CNSCR
works to develop and evaluate new smoking cessation treatments, and to
find new applications and combinations of existing treatments. The CNSCR
conducts both human and animal subject studies that probe the mechanisms
underlying nicotine addiction and apply this knowledge to further
cessation treatments. Some of the CNSCR’s current studies test
investigational approaches, while others investigate the efficacy of
using existing treatments in new ways. Other studies, in collaboration
with the Duke University Department of Radiology and Wake Forest
University, use state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to investigate
nicotine’s effects on the brain. CNSCR also uses pre-clinical models
(including effects of nicotine in rodents) to address questions about
nicotine and addiction that are difficult to address in human subjects.
Nicotine addiction
is the most common form of drug addiction in the United States and one
of the deadliest. According to The American Cancer Society, each year,
tobacco use causes more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use,
motor vehicle accidents, suicides and murders combined. Given all the
reasons not to smoke, why do people continue to do so? CNSCR researchers
are continually exploring new ways to help discover the numerous
psychological and chemical reasons underlying smoking addiction, and
then using these discoveries to develop improved approaches to
cessation.
CNSCR researchers
understand the Surgeon General’s assertion that it may take smokers
several attempts at quitting before smokers are finally able to kick the
habit. Some smokers may try to quit “cold turkey,” but less than 1 in 20
individuals succeed, highlighting the need for improved treatments. Some
smokers, believing that it is less harmful, switch to a lower yield
cigarette (i.e. Lights, Ultra Lights) not realizing that a low-tar
cigarette can be just as harmful as a high-tar cigarette due to the
smoker taking deeper puffs, puffing more frequently or covering
ventilation holes in the filter.
The Duke CNSCR is
not a treatment facility; therefore participation in one of our studies
does not guarantee success at quitting smoking.”
Contact Information
Phone: (919) 668-5055
Fax: (919) 668-5088
Email: smoking@duke.edu
Duke CNSCR
Hock Plaza
2424 Erwin Rd. Suite 201
Durham, NC 27705 |