MEASUREMENT OF TEMPORAL CHANGES IN NEUROTRANSMITTER LEVELS VIA PET

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The goal of this project is twofold. The first step is to create the proper mathematical framework by which PET studies with receptor ligands can be used to reconstruct temporal patterns of endogenous neurotransmitter release that occur in response to cognitive or pharmacological stimulation. Once the mathematical analysis techniques have been established, we will apply them to PET data acquired in both healthy normal control subjects and heavy (but dependent) ethanol consumers at risk for alcoholism. It is proposed that the pattern of dopamine released as a result of ethanol craving (induced by alcohol-related cues) will be different between these subject populations. This pilot study will allow development of a novel technique in neuroimaging and will collect preliminary data on possible neurobiological substrates of alcoholism and drug abuse not heretofore examined in vivo.