Wildfire Smoke Exposure for Cognitive Function

(WRAP Trial)

Overseen By Adriana De Resende, MPH

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Must not be taking: Beta-blockers, CNS depressants

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Asthma, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how breathing air pollution from wildfires affects thinking and memory. Researchers aim to determine if exposure to this pollution changes p-tau, a marker linked to cognitive decline. Participants will breathe clean air and simulated wildfire smoke in separate sessions, with blood tests conducted to detect any changes. The trial seeks healthy non-smokers who weigh at least 110 pounds and have no current or past asthma issues. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to important research on environmental health impacts.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You may need to stop taking certain medications that affect cognition, like beta-blockers and CNS depressants, as well as sedating cold/allergy medications. The trial does not specify a washout period, but these medications are part of the exclusion criteria.

What prior data suggests that this exposure protocol is safe for participants?

Research shows that breathing in wildfire smoke can affect brain health. Studies have found that even small amounts of smoke can lead to lower scores in subjects like English and math, suggesting that smoke might impact thinking and learning. Another review highlights the risk of wildfire smoke on brain health, including its effect on tasks like memory and problem-solving. These findings suggest possible risks from wildfire smoke, but this trial aims to provide more detailed insights. Participants will be safely exposed to wildfire smoke for just one hour and closely monitored. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how exposure to wildfire smoke might impact cognitive function, a relatively new area of study. While current options for managing cognitive health often focus on pharmaceuticals or lifestyle changes, this trial investigates environmental factors as a potential influence on cognition. By simulating wildfire smoke exposure and comparing it to clean air exposure, the study aims to uncover insights that could lead to innovative strategies for protecting cognitive function in areas prone to wildfire smoke.

What evidence suggests that this trial's exposures could affect cognitive function?

This trial will compare the effects of clean air exposure with simulated wildfire smoke exposure on cognitive function. Research has shown that breathing in wildfire smoke can impair brain function. One study found that tiny particles in the smoke, called PM2.5, reduced attention span just a few hours after exposure. Another review suggested that these particles harm brain health and impair clear thinking. Long-term exposure to these particles is also linked to decreased mental sharpness. These findings suggest that even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke might affect brain markers like p-tau, which is connected to cognitive decline. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jose G Cedeno-Laurent, ScD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: New Brunswick/Piscataway Campus

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy, non-smoking adults between the ages of 18 and 40 who weigh at least 110 pounds. It's designed to study the effects of wildfire smoke on cognitive functions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am generally healthy.

I do not smoke.

I weigh at least 110 pounds.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Exposure

Participants undergo a 1-hour chamber exposure to either simulated wildfire smoke or clean air

1 hour per exposure

2 visits (in-person)

Washout

A 1-week washout period between exposures to ensure no carryover effects

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in plasma P-tau 217 concentration immediately before and after each exposure

Immediately before and after each exposure

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Clean Air Exposure
• Simulated Wildfire Smoke Exposure

Trial Overview The study tests how simulated wildfire smoke exposure versus clean air exposure affects a blood marker called p-tau, which is associated with cognitive decline. Participants will have two visits: one for each type of air exposure and undergo blood tests and cognitive assessments before and after exposures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exposure to simulated wildfire smoke, then exposure to clean air Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

At the first study visit the subject undergoes a 1-hour chamber exposure to simulated wildfire smoke (300 ug/m3 Particulate Matter). After a 1-week washout period, the subject undergoes a 1-hour chamber exposure to clean air (0 ug/m3 PM).

Group II: Exposure to clean air, then exposure to simulated wildfire smoke Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

At the first study visit the subject undergoes a 1-hour chamber exposure to clean air (0 ug/m3 PM). After a 1-week washout period, the subject undergoes a 1-hour chamber exposure to simulated wildfire smoke (300 ug/m3 PM).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724013780

A narrative review of extreme heat and wildfire smoke ... In this narrative review, a comprehensive examination of extreme heat and wildfire smoke impact on human brain health is presented, with a focus ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9196888/

Short-Term Exposure to Wildfire Smoke and PM2.5 and ... Our results indicate that PM 2.5 and wildfire smoke were associated with reduced attention in adults within hours and days of exposure.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09611-w

Wildfire smoke exposure and mortality burden in the USA ... Our ensemble model demonstrates better performance relative to previous statistical models that link meteorological variables to fire emissions ...

4. pubs.acs.org pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestair.4c00204

Enhancing Wildfire Smoke Exposure Assessment: A Machine ... We developed a machine learning (ML) model for estimating daily indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations in British Columbia, Canada.

5. assessments.epa.gov assessments.epa.gov/risk/document/&deid%3D365763

Daily and Hourly Exposure to Wildfire Smoke and PM2.5 ... There is increasing evidence that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may adversely impact cognitive performance. Wildfire ...

6. nih.gov nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/wildfire-smoke-exposure-dementia-risk

Wildfire smoke exposure and dementia risk The findings suggest that PM 2.5 from wildfires is a greater risk factor for dementia than PM 2.5 from other sources.

7. news.stanford.edu news.stanford.edu/stories/2022/09/wildfire-smoke-exposure-hurts-learning-outcomes

Wildfire smoke exposure hurts learning outcomes The researchers found test scores in English language arts and math dropped significantly during school years even at low levels of smoke exposure.

8. epa.gov epa.gov/air-research/wildland-fire-research-human-health

Wildland Fire Research: Human Health This study adds to the growing evidence base indicating that wildfire smoke exposure can impact brain health, such as cognitive performance. As ...