Neuroreceptor Imaging of Tobacco Smokers

描述（由申请人提供）：作为一名新近独立的吸烟者PET和SPECT神经受体成像研究人员，本K02申请寻求对我继续职业发展至关重要的支持。通过NIAAA资助的K01项目，我在有酒精依赖和没有酒精依赖的吸烟者的脑成像方面获得了相当多的专业知识。在进行这些研究时，我意识到吸烟对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吸烟领域。我已经展示了相当高的研究效率，这可以从我的同行评审出版物，我的R01 （DA015577）的主要研究者和耶鲁跨学科烟草使用研究中心（TTURC）的主要项目中得到证明。在过去的一年里，我承担了更多的行政责任，2006年还会增加，因此，这个K02奖对于提供80%的集中研究时间和促进我成熟为一个完全独立的研究者至关重要。该奖项的理由是一个全面的5年职业发展计划，填补了重要的空白，并补充了我目前在SPECT/PET神经受体成像方面的专业知识。具体来说，我将掌握以下方面的专业技能：1)图像处理与分析；2)神经受体定量的数学建模；3)遗传学；4)认知神经心理学。强化培训由校内课程、校外教学、个性化指导、互动式专题讨论会和与研究相关的组织会议等综合课程提供。两项有代表性的、获得资助的研究包括了涉及烟碱乙酰胆碱受体和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。这些研究表明，这一职业奖不仅会对我的科学事业产生影响，而且会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.