Biological Bases of Drug-Seeking Behavior

描述(由申请者提供)：这一博士后和博士后培训计划支持对能够在分子水平到认知/临床水平上进行临床前研究的专家的培训，这些研究涉及潜在的药物寻求行为的发展、维持和消除的生物学机制。俄勒冈健康与科学大学的32名研究生教员为博士后研究员和进入基础科学研究生课程的博士生担任导师，这些研究生项目包括行为神经科学、神经科学、生理学和药理学或生物化学。主要研究领域分为四个层次。一些教员主要在细胞/分子水平上工作，使用分子生物学、细胞生物学和电子显微镜技术。其他教员主要在生理、生化和药理系统水平上工作，使用受体结合、放射自显影、体内微透析和伏安法以及电生理技术；一些教员主要在行为药理学和药物遗传学方面工作，使用行为测试、静脉给药、定量遗传学和基因图谱，以及计算机建模技术。最后，一些教员使用认知测试和各种成像技术来研究人类受试者。现有教员广泛合作的领域包括：从分子生物学到行为学的多巴胺能系统研究；从分子到统计基因图谱等各个层面对药物反应的遗传决定因素的广泛研究；以及对药物反应的已知和未知决定因素的研究，特别是它们的奖赏效应和药物自我给药。所有主要药物滥用类别的敏感性、耐受性和依赖/戒断现象正在积极调查中。培训包括在基础科学方面打下坚实的课程基础，针对滥用药物进行具体的药理学培训，以及广泛和持续地参与研究。 与公共健康相关：药物滥用造成巨大的个人和社会代价。这项计划训练科学家进行研究，以确定成瘾和戒毒过程的机制，并开发治疗方法，以防止戒毒者再次吸毒。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This program for pre- and post-doctoral training supports the training of specialists who are able to conduct preclinical research at levels ranging from the molecular to the cognitive/clinical, on the biological mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and elimination of drug-seeking behavior. Thirty-two members of the graduate faculty of the Oregon Health & Science University serve as preceptors for postdoctoral research fellows and for Ph.D. students matriculating into basic science graduate programs in behavioral neuroscience, neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology, or biochemistry. Major research areas represent four levels. Some faculty members work primarily at the cellular/molecular level, using molecular biological, cell biological, and electron microscopic techniques. Other faculty work principally at the level of physiological, biochemical and pharmacological systems, using receptor binding, autoradiography, in vivo microdialysis and voltammetry, and electrophysiological techniques, and some work primarily in behavioral pharmacology and pharmacogenetics, using behavioral testing, intravenous drug self-administration, quantitative genetics and genetic mapping, as well as computer modeling techniques. Finally, some faculty work with human subjects, using cognitive testing and a variety of imaging techniques. Areas of extensive existing faculty collaboration include: studies of dopaminergic systems, ranging from molecular biology to behavior; extensive studies of genetic determinants of drug responses, at all levels from molecular to statistical gene mapping; and the study of learned and unlearned determinants of responses to drugs, particularly their rewarding effects and drug self- administration. Sensitivity, tolerance, and dependence/withdrawal phenomena for all major classes of drugs of abuse are under active investigation. Training includes firm curricular grounding in the basic sciences, specific pharmacological training in abused drugs, and extensive and continuous participation in research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Drug abuse has tremendous personal and societal costs. This program trains scientists to carry out research to identify mechanisms of the processes of becoming addicted to drugs and of stopping drug taking, and to develop treatments to prevent renewed drug taking by abstinent addicts.