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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07151235

Wildfire Related Air Pollution Exposure and Cognitive Function Pilot Study

This study will examine how breathing wildfire-related air pollution (WRAP) for one hour affects healthy adults. The main question the study will answer if the effect of WRAP exposure on p-tau, a blood marker of cognitive decline. The changes in p-tau concentrations after exposure to WRAP will be compared to the changes in p-tau after exposure to clean air.

Participants will:

* Have 2 study visits - one visit with exposure to clean air and one visit with exposure to simulated wildfire smoke * Have blood drawn before and after each exposure * Complete cognitive tests and memory tasks before and after each exposure

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Key information

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rutgers-EOHSI

Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, United States

About this study

  • Exposures will take place in a booth-like exposure chamber (1 x 0.7 x 1.8 m) with glass upper panels. One person will be exposed at a time.
  • Simulated wildfire smoke will be generated by burning pine wood at a temperature that mimics smoldering combustion. The levels of smoke introduced into the exposure chamber are similar to those found during outdoor bonfires and wildfire events. The levels of particulate matter (PM) will be closely monitored during the exposure.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy
  • Non smoker
  • Weight at least 110 pounds
  • Between ages 18 and 40 years old

Exclusion criteria

  • Claustrophobia or not comfortable in enclosed spaces.
  • Colorblindness.
  • Inability to hear verbal instructions.
  • Cardiovascular disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, would elevate the participant's risk of adverse effects to WRAP exposure. This includes a history of stroke.
  • Diabetes requiring the use of insulin.
  • Pregnancy (A pregnancy test will be provided to you).
  • Current asthma (an asthma attack within the past five years).
  • History of childhood asthma.
  • Medications which may affect cognition such as beta-blockers and CNS depressants.
  • Respiratory symptoms in the previous 4 weeks (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, etc.) which, in the opinion of the investigator, would elevate the participant's risk of adverse effects to WRAP exposure.
  • Use of sedating cold/allergy medications in the previous week.
  • Use of marijuana in the previous week.
  • Consumption of alcohol in the previous 24 hours.
  • Kidney or liver disease.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Cancer.
  • Parkinson's disease.
  • Pacemaker.
  • Hay fever.

Treatment and study plan

Simulated wildfire smoke exposure

Other

1 hour exposure to simulated wildfire smoke (300 ug/m3 PM)

Clean Air exposure

Other

1 hour exposure to clean (HEPA-filtered) air (0 ug/m3 PM)

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in plasma P-tau 217 concentration from pre-exposure to post-exposure

    Time frame: Immediately before, immediately after each exposure

    Using blood samples collected pre- and post-exposure, the primary outcome will be assessed by measurement of plasma phosphorylated tau at threonine 217 (p-tau217) using an ultrasensitive immunoassay

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Controlled Human Environmental Study Evaluating the Impacts of Cognitive Functions During the Exposure of Simulated Wildfire-Related Air Pollution (WRAP).

Acronym: WRAP

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 2, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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