HIPPOCAMPUS CORRELATES OF DRUG ABUSE IN RATS

描述：（申请人摘要） 本建议书中概述的研究计划支持以下申请： 更新研究科学家奖（K05）给博士。Deadwyler 维克森林鲍曼格雷医学院生理学教授 大学 未来5年的研究目标 该奖项在研究计划中划定，并涵盖三个不同的研究 每个领域都有单独的研究补助金支持。 三个领域 包括：1）大麻素对海马记忆过程的影响，2） 大麻素受体的作用机制，和3）神经生理学 可卡因自我给药的评估。 这三大领域 在过去的一年里， 奖励期。 支持这项研究的每一笔赠款都得到了更新 并且目前一直活跃到2000年。 整个战略 这项研究的目的是在细胞和分子水平上了解 大麻素和可卡因对行为神经基质的影响， 细胞功能 关于大麻素， 内源性大麻素（CB 1）受体配体“大麻素酰胺”和外源性大麻素（CB 1）受体配体“大麻素酰胺”。 受体类似物将继续评估其 影响大鼠海马介导的记忆过程。 在 此外，对这些物质的慢性影响的调查， 正在进行的研究，以确定耐受性和依赖性的机制， 大脑中的大麻素系统 第三个研究领域的重点是 可卡因对位于延髓核（NA）的神经元的影响， 据信是建立和维持 强化行为。 这些研究将继续 研究动物NA中神经元的放电模式 自我服用可卡因，以确定在何种条件下， 这种药物改变神经元活动以支持成瘾行为。 的 该奖项的更新将使Deadwyler博士继续致力于最大的 努力实现上述研究目标，使他从其他部门 和教学责任。 这也将为他提供 有机会扩大他对上述主题的研究，包括更多 先进的技术，并访问其他实验室， 就共同感兴趣的主题与其他知名 研究人员在该领域。

DESCRIPTION: (Applicant's Abstract) The research program outlined in this proposal supports the application for renewal of a Research Scientist Award (K05) to Dr. Sam A. Deadwyler, Professor of Physiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University. The objectives of the research over the next 5 years of the award are delineated in the Research Plan and cover three distinct research areas, each supported by a separate individual research grant. The 3 areas include: 1) effects of cannabinoids on hippocampal memory processes, 2) mechanisms of action of cannabinoid receptors, and 3) neurophysiological assessment of cocaine self-administration. These three major areas of research have been under investigation throughout the duration of the last award period. Each of the grants supporting that research has been renewed and is currently active until the year 2000. The overall strategy of the research proposed is to understand at the cellular and molecular level the effects of cannabinoids and cocaine on neural substrates of behavior and cellular function. With respect to cannabinoids, the effects of both the endogenous cannabinoid (CB1) receptor ligand "anandamide" and the exogenous receptor analogs will continue to be assessed with respect to their influence on memory processes mediated via the hippocampus in the rat. In addition, investigations of the chronic effects of these substances are now underway to determine the mechanisms of tolerance and dependence in the cannabinoid system in the brain. The third area of study focuses on the effects of cocaine on neurons located in the nucleus accumbens (NA), an area of the brain believed to be critical for establishing and maintaining reinforced behaviors. Specifically, these studies will continue to investigate the firing patterns of neurons in the NA in animals self-administering cocaine in order to define those conditions under which the drug alters neuronal activity to support addictive behavior. The renewal of this award will allow Dr. Deadwyler to continue to devote maximal effort to the above research objectives, freeing him from other departmental and teaching responsibilities. It will also provide him with the opportunity to expand his research on the above topics to include more advanced techniques and to make visits to other laboratories to arrange collaborations on topics of mutual interest with other well known researchers in the field.