Novel methods of acupuncture delivery in the treatment of drug-abuse disorders

项目摘要/摘要 尽管使用HT7针灸已被证明可以减少寻求药物的行为， 有几个障碍限制了它的有效性。务实地，这些包括数字和 所需治疗的频率、患者对时间的高要求以及 资源和对其基本机制的不完全了解。更多知识和 需要新的方法来减轻这些负担并改善结果。其中一部分是 介导这些效应的神经通路始于外周神经的激活 机械感受器，在几次突触后作用于中脑边缘系统。这个 上述途径构成了这一提议的科学前提。我们的目标是测试和定义 针灸的两种新方法的作用机理：1) 皮下振动植入和2)外周机械感受器的光遗传刺激。 总的假设是刺激外周机械感受器，迈斯纳和 太平洋小体，通过振动或光遗传学，将改变中边缘活动并产生 急性可卡因给药效果的变化。此外，这种影响将被逆转 通过消融DCML通路和/或给予(全身或局部)纳曲诺。 该项目允许申请者接触到重要的调查技术和 针灸和替代医学领域经验丰富的研究人员，以促进 从临床实践成功过渡到全日制独立研究。这些措施包括： 活体电生理学、快速扫描循环伏安法、微透析、相关行为分析 在斯科特·斯特芬森的实验室进行药物寻找、光遗传学和现场培训 (比亚迪大学)、Hee Young Kim(大邱哈尼大学)和姜野(罗格斯大学)。这些实验室 已经确立了自己在该领域的领导者地位，并非常适合提供世界级的 训练。该项目还符合NCCIH战略计划的几个项目，即开发 新的研究方法，以提高对免费医疗方法和 难以照顾的症状和培训临床医生-科学家在免费和 综合健康研究。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Though the use of HT7 acupuncture has been shown to reduce drug-seeking behavior, there are several barriers limiting its effectiveness. These include, pragmatically, the number and frequency of treatments required, patient adherence in light of high demands on time and resources and incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms. More knowledge and novel methods are needed to reduce these burdens and improve outcomes. A portion of the neurological pathway mediating these effects begins with activation of peripheral mechanoreceptors, which effect, after several synapses, the mesolimbic system. The aforementioned pathway forms the scientific premise of this proposal. We aim to test and define the mechanism of action of two novel methods of administering acupuncture; they are 1) subcutaneous vibratory implants and 2) optogenetic stimulation of peripheral mechanoreceptors. The overall hypothesis is that stimulation of peripheral mechanoreceptors, Meissner’s and Pacinian Corpuscles, via vibration or optogenics, will alter the mesolimbic activity and produce changes in the effects of acute cocaine administration. Further, that the effects will be reversed by ablation of the DCML pathway and/or administration (systemic or local) of naltrindole. This project allows the applicant exposure to important investigative techniques and seasoned researchers in the area of acupuncture and alternative medicine to facilitate a successful transition from clinical practice to full-time independent research. These include, in- vivo electrophysiology, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, microdialysis, behavioral assays associated with drug seeking, optogenetics and access to on-site training in the labs of Scott Steffensen (BYU), Hee Young Kim (Daegu Haany University) and Jiang Ye (Rutgers). These laboratories have established themselves as leaders in this field and are ideally suited to provide world-class training. This project also meets several items of the NCCIH strategic plan, namely, to develop new research methods to improve understanding of complimentary healthcare approaches and hard-to-care for symptoms and to train clinician-scientists in the area of complimentary and integrative health research.