The Neurobiological and Neurocognitive Consequences of Chronic Cigarette Smoking

描述（由申请人提供）：项目概述：我长期以来对物质性脑损伤相关的生物学机制感兴趣，因此我希望成为一名神经影像学研究人员。我最富有成效的药物滥用研究是与加州大学旧金山分校（UCSF）放射学教授Dieter Meyerhoff博士一起研究与酒精中毒相关的脑损伤相关的神经生物学机制。作为加州大学旧金山分校的助理教授，我负责所有的神经认知和精神评估。然而，由于缺乏这方面的具体培训，我目前无法独立地将MR采集或处理方法应用于我自己的研究兴趣。我的总体职业目标是发展纲领性研究，这将促进我们对物质使用障碍中与认知功能障碍相关的神经生物学机制的理解，重点是代表性不足的少数群体。为了实现这一目标，我将需要集中训练：1)获取、处理和解释先进的磁共振神经成像方法；2)尼古丁依赖的神经生物学和认知意义；3)尼古丁依赖的临床评估方法；4)先进的统计方法；高级神经解剖学和神经生理学。Meyerhoff博士和一组专家将在这些领域为我提供广泛的培训，并辅以相关的研讨会和课程。我的研究计划将结合最先进的磁共振成像技术和全面的神经认知测试，以更好地阐明慢性吸烟对人类神经生物学和功能的影响。我将利用这一奖项发展成为一名富有成效的研究人员，将基于体内磁共振的技术与临床神经心理学的专业知识结合起来，研究物质使用障碍的神经生物学和认知效应。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary: The desire to pursue a career as a neuroimaging researcher evolved from my longstanding interest in the biologic mechanisms associated with substance induced brain injury. My most productive substance abuse research has been with Dr. Dieter Meyerhoff, Professor of Radiology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), on a study of the neurobiological mechanisms associated with alcoholism-related brain injury. As Assistant Professor at UCSF, I am responsible for all neurocognitive and psychiatric assessment. However, I am currently unable to independently apply the MR acquisition or processing methodology to my own research interests, due to a lack of specific training in this area. My overarching career goal is to develop programmatic research that will advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms associated with cognitive dysfunction in substance use disorders, with an emphasis on under-represented minorities. To realize this goal, I will require focused training in: 1) the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of advanced magnetic resonance neuroimaging methods; 2) the neurobiological and cognitive implications of nicotine dependence; 3) clinical assessment methods for nicotine dependence; 4) advanced statistical methodology; 5) advanced neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Dr. Meyerhoff and a panel of experts will provide me with extensive training in these areas, complemented by relevant seminars and courses. My research plan will combine state-of-the art resonance imaging techniques and comprehensive neurocognitive testing to better elucidate the effects of chronic smoking on human neurobiology and function. I will use this award to develop into a productive researcher who is in the unique position to combine in-vivo magnetic resonance-based techniques, with expertise in clinical neuropsychology, to examine the neurobiological and cognitive effects of substance use disorders. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: It is well known that cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and it is linked to many diseases. However, little is known about how smoking affects a very important organ - the human brain. This study will use advanced neuroimaging techniques and cognitive tests to better understand the effects of smoking on the brain and its functions. Such information may help develop better medications and behavioral treatments to assist with the millions around the world who are unable to quit smoking.