Training Program in the Neurobiology of Substance Use and Abuse

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请寻求资金，以解决匹兹堡大学关于物质使用和滥用神经生物学的连贯培训计划的机会。该计划将支持3名博士后学员和3名博士预科学员在论文阶段。它围绕着培养教师专业知识的五个核心领域：1)动机行为和认知的系统神经生物学；2)青少年发育生物学和物质使用脆弱性；3)神经递质释放和再摄取的分子调节；4)尼古丁强化和复发；5)应激反应脑回路。教学课程将解决这些核心领域的重点。还将举办一个正式的系列研讨会，邀请在这些重点领域研究前沿工作的杰出科学家参加。通过“指导和审查”的拨款写作课程要求，正式纳入了广泛的拨款写作培训。演示和分析技能将通过内部系列研讨会发展，其中正在进行的工作将由匹兹堡大学物质使用研究界的受训者或其他个人介绍。该培训计划将提高作为独立研究者取得成功所必需的关键技能，其组成部分的总和将在研究人员之间创造多个互动节点，从而增加对受支持个人的培训的广度和质量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks funding to address the opportunity at the University of Pittsburgh for a coherent training program on the neurobiology of substance use and abuse. The program will support three post- doctoral trainees and three pre-doctoral trainees at the dissertation stage. It is structured around five core areas of training faculty expertise: 1) Systems neurobiology of motivated behavior and cognition 2) Adolescent developmental biology and substance use vulnerability 3) Molecular modulation of neurotransmitter release and reuptake 4) Nicotine reinforcement and relapse 5) Stress responsive brain circuits. A didactic course will address these core areas of focus. There will also be a formal seminar series drawing prominent scientists whose work is at the cutting edge of research into these areas of focus. Extensive training in grant writing is formally incorporated through a "mentored and reviewed" grant writing course requirement. Presentation and analysis skills will be developed through an in-house seminar series in which works in progress will be presented by trainees or other individuals within the University of Pittsburgh substance use research community. The training program will enhance critical skills necessary for success as independent investigators, and the sum of its components will create multiple nodes of interaction between researchers, thereby increasing the breadth and quality of training of the supported individuals.