Neural and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Abused Drugs

描述（由申请人提供）：药物滥用和成瘾障碍构成了一个重大的、高影响的健康问题。这项由德克萨斯大学医学分部（UTMB）提供的“滥用药物的神经和药理机制”（T32DA07287）培训补助金的竞争性更新，旨在通过指导准备并致力于寻找答案的下一代科学家，解决成瘾问题与有效解决方案之间的巨大差距。培训计划的首要目标是为新生科学家提供知识基础、技术专长和专业技能，以推进对成瘾的了解，并将这些进展推向新的治疗方法。22名教师导师/共同导师拥有丰富的培训和职业发展经验，广泛的合作网络以及利用现代技术进行转化成瘾研究的专业知识。我们的目标是在药物滥用和成瘾的神经基础、药物发现和药物开发以及药物滥用和成瘾的医学后果的转化研究方面提供示范培训。实现这些目标的策略包括提供资金充足、最先进的研究机会和设施、有效的指导和监测计划、具有挑战性的课程和支持性的互动项目（例如，短期临床轮转、期刊俱乐部、工作组、研讨会），以及培养迈向独立职业所需的专业技能的一流项目活动。我们的努力的高潮是我们的学员的成功，作为完整的当代科学家配备了工具来推进成瘾的机制理解，并将这些进步推向新的治疗方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Substance abuse and addictive disorders constitute a major, high-impact health problem. This competitive renewal of the training grant Neural and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Abused Drugs (T32DA07287) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) proposes to address the large gap between the problem of addiction and efficacious solutions by mentoring the next generation of scientists prepared and committed to the search for answers. The overarching goal of the Training Program is to provide nascent scientists with the knowledge base, technical expertise and professional skills needed to advance knowledge in the addictions and to move these advances toward new therapeutics. The 22 faculty mentors/co-mentors have a wealth of training and career development successes, extensive collaborative networks and expertise in translational addiction research conducted with modern technologies. Our objectives are to provide exemplary training in translational research in the neural bases for drug abuse and addiction, drug discovery and medications development, and the medical consequences of drug abuse and addiction. Strategies to achieve these objectives include providing well-funded, state-of-the-art research opportunities and facilities, effective mentoring and monitoring plans, challenging curricula and supportive interactive programs (e.g., short-term clinical rotations, journal clubs, workgroups, seminars), and first-rate program activities that develop the professional skills needed for advancement towards an independent career. The culmination of our efforts is the success of our trainees as complete, contemporary scientists equipped with the tools to advance the mechanistic understanding of addiction and move these advances toward new therapeutic approaches to its treatment.