PILOT STUDIES

该组件描述了支持和管理系列的计划 包括科学和技术咨询程序 审查.在康州大学ARC的试点研究已经作为基础， 发展研究计划是中心不可或缺的，但 它还通过各种其他融资机制延伸到它之外。 在本赠款周期内，试点研究共产生了 14篇同行评审出版物，并为5项成功的赠款做出了贡献 通过R 01、R 03或R21机制资助的应用程序。 在这些方面，试点研究方案在 康州大学ARC的活力和成长。 报告介绍了七个独立的项目，其中三个项目将在 在补助期的头两年（第一阶段）。其余 四个项目计划在最后三年实施， 年（第二阶段）。根据试点研究的成功， 在当前和以前的赠款期间，三方方案 采用的方法侧重于三个主要研究领域： 神经药理学/神经生物学，电生理学/脑成像，以及 治疗试验这种方法解决了主要的研究重点， 康州大学ARC：易受酒精相关问题的影响; 问题饮酒，依赖和复发;以及酒精治疗 依赖 在新拨款期的第一阶段，建议进行的研究包括 转基因小鼠品系的产生和表型分析 GABAA受体α 6亚基基因的表达，一项研究表明， 危险饮酒和妇女抑郁症的电生理影响， 以及一项治疗试验， 阿片类拮抗剂纳洛酮，以减少问题饮酒， 青少年。将在赠款周期第二阶段进行的研究 包括研究酒精和神经类固醇对GABA功能调节 以及一项针对多巴胺的纯化抗体的影响的研究 受体亚型对自愿酒精摄入量的影响这一阶段还将 包括对酒精、可卡因和反社会行为的影响的研究。 人格障碍对脑血流量的影响，使用功能性 核磁共振最后，第二阶段将包括一项试验，评估 门诊治疗的低成本、应急强化方法 和药物使用情况的报告，以及对酒精依赖者 患者

This component describes plans for the support and management of a series of pilot projects, including procedures for scientific and technical review. Pilot studies in the UConn ARC have served as the basis for the development of programs of research that are integral to the Center, but which also extend beyond it through a variety of other funding mechanisms. During the current grant cycle, pilot studies have resulted in a total of 14 peer-review publications and have contributed to five successful grant applications, which have been funded through R01, R03, or R21 mechanisms. In these ways, the pilot studies program has played a crucial role in the vitality and growth of the UConn ARC. Seven separate projects are described, of which three will be initiated during the first two years of the grant period (Phase I). The remaining four projects are scheduled for implementation during the final three years of the grant (Phase II). Based upon the success of the pilot studies program during the current and previous grant periods, a tripartite approach is employed that focuses on three main investigational areas: neuropharmacology/neurobiology, electrophysiology/brain imaging, and treatment trials. This approach addresses the major research foci of the UConn ARC: vulnerability to alcohol-related problems; basic mechanisms of problem drinking, dependence, and relapse; and the treatment of alcohol dependence. During Phase I of the new grant period, proposed studies include the generation and phenotyping of transgenic mouse lines with altered expression of the GABAA receptor a6 subunit gene, a study of the electrophysiologic effects of hazardous drinking and depression in women, and a treatment trial that examines the safety and feasibility of using the opioid antagonist naltrexone to reduce problem drinking in adolescents. Studies to be conducted during Phase II of the grant cycle include a study of alcohol and neurosteroid modulation of GABA function and a study of the impact of purified antibodies directed against dopamine receptor subtypes on voluntary ethanol intake. This phase will also include a study of the effects of alcohol, cocaine, and antisocial personality disorder on cerebral blood flow, measured using functional MRI. Finally, Phase II will include a trial evaluating the effects of a low-cost, contingent reinforcement approach on ambulatory treatment attendance and retention, and on alcohol and drug use in alcohol-dependent patients.