Neuroreceptor Imaging of Tobacco Smokers

描述(由申请人提供)：这份K02申请书寻求持续的支持，这对我作为一名新的独立研究人员在烟草吸烟者中进行正电子发射计算机断层扫描和SPECT神经受体成像的职业发展至关重要。通过NIAAA资助的K01，我在有和没有酒精依赖的吸烟者的大脑成像方面获得了相当多的专业知识。在进行这些研究时，我意识到关于吸烟的神经化学后果的知识匮乏，并决定将我未来的努力主要集中在烟草吸烟领域。我的同行评议出版物、我的R01(DA015577)首席研究员和耶鲁大学跨学科烟草使用研究中心(TTURC)的一个主要项目证明了我的研究效率相当高。在过去的一年里，我承担了更多的行政责任，2006年将会增加，因此，K02奖对于提供80%的专注研究时间和促进我成长为一名完全独立的调查员至关重要。该奖项由一份全面的5年职业发展计划提供，填补了重要的空白，并赞扬了我目前在SPECT/PET神经感受器成像方面的专业知识。具体地说，我将获得以下专业技能：1)图像处理和分析2)神经感受器定量的数学建模，3)遗传学，4)认知神经心理学。强化培训由综合课程提供，包括校内课程、校外教学、个人化授课、互动研讨会和与研究有关的组织会议。其中包括两项有代表性的资助研究，涉及涉及烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体和GABAA-苯二氮卓类受体在人类习惯性吸烟中的作用的主要假设。这些调查表明，这一职业奖不仅将对我的科学生涯产生促进作用，还将对我们对习惯性吸烟背后的神经化学机制的基本理解产生影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This K02 application seeks continued support essential for my continued career development as a newly independent researcher of PET and SPECT neuroreceptor imaging in tobacco smokers. Through a K01 funded by NIAAA, I attained considerable expertise in the brain imaging of smokers with and without alcohol dependence. While conducting these studies, I realized the paucity of knowledge on the neuro-chemical consequences of tobacco smoking and decided to focus my future efforts predominantly in the field of tobacco smoking. I have demonstrated considerable research productivity as evidenced by my peer reviewed publications, my principal-investigatorship of a R01 (DA015577) and a primary project in the Yale Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC). I have acquired significantly more administrative responsibilities in the past year, which will increase in 2006, thus, this K02 award is vital for providing 80% focused research time and for facilitating my maturation into a fully-independent investigator. Justification for the award is provided by a comprehensive 5-year Career Development Plan that fills important gaps and compliments my current expertise in SPECT/PET neuroreceptor imaging. Specifically, I will acquire specialized skills in: 1) image processing and analysis 2) mathematical modeling for neuroreceptor quantitation, 3) genetics, and 4) cognitive neuropsychology. Intensive training is provided by an integrated curriculum of intramural coursework, extramural didactics, individualized preceptorships, interactive symposia, and research-related organizational meetings. Two representative, funded research studies are included that address major hypotheses involving the role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor in habitual tobacco smoking in humans. These investigations illustrate the impact this career award will have in furthering not only my scientific career, but also our fundamental understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying habitual tobacco smoking.