Neurobehavioral Predictors of Cognitive Decline in Methamphetamine Dependence

描述（由申请人提供）：目前的研究计划旨在通过创建“差异分数”来提供与甲基苯丙胺（MA）依赖相关的认知衰退的改进估计，该分数由认知电池预期认知表现和当前表现之间的差异组成。使用人口统计学变量、发病前估计程序和参与者开始滥用药物前的学校记录来估计ma依赖者和健康对照者的预期认知表现。然后，我们将确定ma依赖受试者的神经解剖和行为差异评分预测因子。行为预测因子将包括药物滥用变量、人口统计变量和社会心理因素，而神经解剖学预测因子将包括从结构MRI数据（例如，VBM和DTI）的自动化和半自动分析中确定的灰质和白质测量。识别差异分数的预测因子将暗示MA依赖认知能力下降的危险因素。该候选人具有临床神经心理学背景，他从该奖项中寻求两个主要培训目标：1)学习结构神经成像技术，2)成为药物滥用方面的专家，特别是MA滥用。候选人在加州大学洛杉矶分校分子神经成像实验室的工作环境为他在神经成像和药物滥用方面的培训提供了完美的基础设施，他将得到这些领域知名专家的指导和咨询。该实验室与大脑测绘中心和住院普通临床研究中心（GCRC）有着密切的联系，有几项资助的、正在进行的MA依赖性研究。作为培训的一部分，候选人将参加基础神经成像主题（编程，统计学，图像采集，神经解剖学）和更高级的神经成像主题（例如DTI口译）的课程和讲习班，以及药物滥用的生物学和精神基础课程。他还将参加药物滥用（CPDD）和神经成像（如人脑测绘）的年度会议，并定期与导师会面。候选人计划在奖励期结束时提交R01奖助金。从长远来看，他计划建立一个独立的研究事业，研究大脑结构与药物滥用行为之间的关系。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The current research proposal seeks to provide an improved estimate of cognitive decline associated with methamphetamine (MA) dependence by creating "discrepancy scores" which consist of the difference between expected cognitive performance and current performance on a cognitive battery. Expected cognitive performance will be estimated in MA-dependent and healthy control subjects using demographic variables, pre-morbid estimation procedures, and participants' school records prior to the initiation of drug abuse. We will then determine the neuroanatomical and behavioral predictors of discrepancy scores in MA-dependent subjects. Behavioral predictors will include drug abuse variables, demographic variables, and psychosocial factors, while neuroanatomical predictors will consist of gray matter and white matter measurements identified from automated and semi-automated analysis of structural MRI data (e.g., VBM and DTI). Identifying predictors of discrepancy scores will implicate risk factors for cognitive decline in MA dependence. The candidate has a background in clinical neuropsychology and he seeks two primary training goals from this award: 1) learn structural neuroimaging techniques, and 2) become an expert in substance abuse, particularly MA abuse. The candidate's work environment at the UCLA Laboratory of Molecular Neuroimaging provides an impeccable infrastructure for being trained in neuroimaging and substance abuse, and he will be mentored and consulted by renowned experts in these areas. The lab has several grant-funded, ongoing studies in MA dependence with strong ties to the Brain Mapping Center and the inpatient General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). As part of training, the candidate will attend several courses and workshops in foundational neuroimaging topics (programming, statistics, image acquisition, neuroanatomy) and more advanced neuroimaging topics (e.g., DTI interpretation), as well as courses in the biological and psychiatric bases of substance abuse. He will also attend annual conferences in substance abuse (CPDD) and neuroimaging (e.g., Human Brain Mapping), and meet with mentors regularly. The candidate plans to submit for a R01 grant toward the end of the award period. Long term, he plans to found an independent research career examining the relationship between brain structure and behavior in substance abuse. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Individuals who are dependent on methamphetamine (MA) have been found to have cognitive difficulties, but the extent to which these difficulties are attributable to MA consumption is unclear. The current project seeks to improve the measurement of cognitive decline associated with MA dependence, and identify risk factors for this decline. Knowledge of risk factors for cognitive decline can be used to assist prevention and treatment efforts.