Using PET to Image the Neurochemistry of Addiction

先前的临床和临床前研究表明，多巴胺传递的失调 在药物滥用中起着批判性的作用。此申请表中提供的研究包括候选人的 研究在成瘾中看到的多巴胺传递的变化。这些研究包括 对可卡因、酒精和海洛因依赖的研究表明，这些障碍中的每一种都是 与D2/3受体结合丧失和突触前多巴胺传递有关。重要的是， 在可卡因依赖方面所做的研究表明，多巴胺的传递可以预测复发。下一步 是探索导致多巴胺失调的机制，同时研究其他 直接调节多巴胺传递的神经递质系统。这些研究包括成像 除kappa和神经降压素受体系统外，还有微脑激活。 候选人通过K23奖励机制发展了她的PET成像事业。由于得到了支持 在该奖项的帮助下，她得以从事物质依赖成像研究 人口。作为一名独立研究员，这位候选人一直在继续这项工作。此外， 候选人进行了大量的合作，努力将PET放射配基成像带入更多的 临床研究的类型。这份K02奖的申请将使候选人的职业生涯继续下去 随着她在PET成像领域寻求新的方向，她一直在不停地工作。 相关性(请参阅说明)： 这项裁决的申请人之前所做的工作表明，多巴胺与药物有关 上瘾。下一组研究将研究大脑多巴胺变化的原因和方法 纠正这一赤字。

Previous clinical and pre-clinical studies have shown that the dysregulation in dopamine transmission plays a criticial role in substance abuse. The studies presented in this application include the candidate's work characterizing the alteration in dopamine transmission seen in addiction. These studies include research done in cocaine, alcohol, and heroin dependence, and show that each of these disorders is associated with a loss of D2/3 receptor binding and pre-synaptic dopamine transmission. Importantly, the work done in cocaine dependence shows that dopamine transmission is predictive of relapse. The next step is to explore the mechanisms that contribute to dopamine dysregulation in addition to studying other neurotransmitter systems that directly regulate dopamine transmission. These studies include imaging micriglial activation, in addition to the kappa and neurotensin receptors systems. The candidate developed her PET imaging career through the K23 award mechanism. Due to the support provided by that award, she was able to pursue a career in imaging studies in substance dependent populations. As an independent researcher, the candidate has continued this line of work. In addition, the candidate has pursued numerous collaborations in an effort to bring PET radioligand imaging into more types of clinical research. This application for a K02 awardwill allow the candiate's career to continue unbinterupted as she pursues new directions in PET imaging. RELEVANCE (See instructions): Previous work performed by the applicant for this award have shown that dopamine is involved in drug addiction. The next set of studies will examine the cause of the changes in brain dopamine and ways to correct this deficit.