Dissolved Phase HXe-129 MRI: A Novel Biomarker to Quantify Pulmonary Pathology

This study uses a specialized lung MRI technique involving hyperpolarized xenon gas (HXe-129 MRI) to detect early, subtle damage to the lungs caused by long-term e-cigarette use, even before standard lung function tests show a problem. Researchers will compare gas exchange capacity and physical fitness between 40 e-cigarette users and 40 healthy non-users at the start of the study and again one year later. Adults aged 18–35 who exclusively use closed-container, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for at least 6 months (at least 3 times per week) may be eligible; healthy controls must have normal lung function tests. Participation includes MRI scans, standard lung function tests, a cardiopulmonary exercise test, and a 6-minute walk at two time points 12 months apart. This summary was generated with AI assistance and is intended to help patients understand the study in plain language.