Factors for enhanced neurotoxicity in methamphetamine abuse in HIV infection

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请是根据美国国家药物滥用研究所（NIDA）要求的PAR-09-011多样性促进机构药物滥用研究计划（DIDARP）提交的。这个提议的研究项目是及时的，因为它关注的是夏威夷两个主要的健康差异问题，即甲基苯丙胺滥用和艾滋病毒感染。最近的调查表明，夏威夷原住民或其他太平洋岛民在美国12岁或以上的人中使用甲基苯丙胺的比例最高。虽然与其他主要城市相比，夏威夷的艾滋病毒/艾滋病感染率相对较低，但夏威夷人的感染率正在上升。该DIDARP将包括两个主要研究项目和一个试点研究项目，重点研究可能增强与艾滋病毒甲基苯丙胺相关的神经毒性的机制和因素。我们的目标是通过建立这个小型的转化研究团队来提高休斯敦大学药物滥用研究的能力。这个小组将利用和发展为数不多但杰出的现有临床药物滥用和艾滋病毒研究人员和基础科学家的专业知识。我们的目标是使UH能够开发一个强大的临床和转化药物滥用研究项目。为了补充这些项目，我们还提出了培训和职业发展活动，这些活动将通过行政和培训核心为DIDARP的研究人员和休斯敦大学的其他人员提供令人兴奋的机会。核心学院将通过基础设施支持、教育课程、研讨会和专门的DIDARP网站，为这些初级教师和研究生提供指导和指导。我们已经为该计划的另外两名研究生获得了机构支持。我们还招募了4名杰出的外部咨询委员会成员，他们具有与拟议研究相关的专业知识；每个人都热情地同意为休斯敦大学DIDARP的发展提供他们的建议和支持信。公共卫生相关性（见说明）；目前的提案试图通过在夏威夷大学建立转化研究小组来加强药物滥用和艾滋病毒研究能力，并在药物滥用和艾滋病毒研究方面培训初级调查人员和学生。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application is submitted in response to PAR-09-011 Diversity-promoting Institutions Drug Abuse Research Program (DIDARP) requested by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This proposed research program is timely since it focuses on two ofthe major health disparity issues in Hawaii, namely, methamphetamine abuse and HIV infection. Recent surveys indicate that Native Hawaiians or other Pacific islanders have the highest rate of methamphetamine use among persons aged 12 or older in the United States. Although HIV/AIDS infection rate is relatively low in Hawaii compared to other major metropolis, the rates are increasing among Hawaiians. This DIDARP will include two primary and one pilot research projects that will focus on mechanisms and factors that might enhance neurotoxicity associated with methamphetamine of HIV. We aim to enhance the capacity for drug abuse research at UH by creating this small translational research team. This group will take advantage and build on the expertise of the few but outstanding existing clinical drug abuse and HIV researchers and basic scientists. We aim to enable UH to develop a strong clinical and translational drug abuse research program. To complement these projects, we additionally propose training and career development activities that wil offer exciting opportunities for DIDARP investigators and others at UH through the Administrative and Training Core. The Faculty in the Core will provide guidance and mentorship for these junior faculty and graduate students, through infrastructure support, educational courses, seminars, and a dedicated DIDARP website, We have obtained institutional support for two additional graduate students for the program. We also have recruited 4 distinguished External Advisory Committee members with expertise related to the proposed research; each has enthusiastically agreed to provide their advice and letter of support for the development of this DIDARP at UH. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE (See instructions); The current proposal attempts to strengthen drug abuse and HIV research capacity by developing translational research teams at the University of Hawaii, and to train junior investigators and students in drug abuse and HIV research.