Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8898-7786

Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

School of Medicine

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Paul Chantler

Committee Co-Chair

Mark Olfert

Committee Member

Timothy Nurkiewicz

Committee Member

Eric Kelley

Committee Member

Jonathan Boyd

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (Ecigs) have replaced smoking within the last decade as the preferred nicotine delivery system because of their advertising to the younger populations. Marketing has sold the idea that use of Ecigs are safer than smoking and this messaging has resonated with youth and other vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. Despite over 2.8 million children under 18 (Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey) deciding to vape, there is little information about what this will do to the next generation. Further, it is that same population that will soon reach an age when they will want to have children. There is much left to learn about how Ecig use impacts the health of the pregnancy, the mom, and her offspring. This dissertation provides evidence of the harms of Ecigs and addresses the vascular, behavioral, and neurocognitive consequences associated with direct and maternal exposure to Ecigs on offspring outcomes.

The hypothesis is that 1. maternal exposure to Ecigs will impact offspring vasculature in a wattage dependent matter and nicotine will be the significant contributing factor on offspring behavioral outcomes, 2. the 3rd trimester is the window during pregnancy that has the most profound impact on health of the pregnancy and offspring vascular function, 3. a secondary exposure to Ecig in either adolescence or as an adult will further impact the vascular and cerebral function of offspring with an in-utero exposure to Ecigs. In addition, this project gives a time course for middle cerebral artery recovery from acute exposure to Ecig, links the roles of e-liquid, wattage, and nicotine on the severity of vascular outcomes, demonstrates not only the harm to offspring but also the mom, and provides evidence to help to rule out preconception and lactation as timepoints for offspring vascular harm.

The specific aims of this dissertation were to 1. determine if maternal exposure to Ecig aerosol produced at low- versus high-wattage induces different vascular and neurocognitive responses in offspring, and what role nicotine plays in neurocognitive outcomes, 2. test the hypothesis that maternal Ecig exposure during the third trimester will have the greatest influence on cerebrovascular impairment in adolescence and adult offspring, 3. test the hypothesis that a direct vape exposure during adolescent or adult life stages of offspring previously exposed to Ecigs during gestation will create worse cerebrovascular dysfunction.

Embargo Reason

Publication Pending

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Available for download on Friday, April 25, 2025

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