The Neurobiological and Neurocognitive Consequences of Chronic Cigarette Smoking

描述(由申请者提供)：项目摘要：我对物质引起的脑损伤相关生物机制的长期兴趣使我渴望从事神经成像研究人员的职业生涯。我最有成效的物质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，由于缺乏这方面的专门培训，我目前无法独立地将MR获取或处理方法应用于我自己的研究兴趣。我的首要职业目标是开展程序性研究，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，重点是未被充分代表的少数群体。为了实现这一目标，我将需要以下方面的重点培训：1)先进磁共振神经成像方法的获取、处理和解释；2)尼古丁依赖的神经生物学和认知影响；3)尼古丁依赖的临床评估方法；4)先进的统计学方法；5)高级神经解剖学和神经生理学。迈耶霍夫博士和一个专家小组将在这些领域为我提供广泛的培训，并辅之以相关的研讨会和课程。我的研究计划将结合最先进的共振成像技术和全面的神经认知测试，以更好地阐明长期吸烟对人类神经生物学和功能的影响。我将利用这个奖项发展成为一名富有成效的研究人员，他具有独特的地位，能够将基于体内磁共振的技术与临床神经心理学的专业知识相结合，以检查物质使用障碍的神经生物学和认知影响。 与公共健康相关：众所周知，吸烟几乎危害身体的每一个器官，并与许多疾病有关。然而，人们对吸烟如何影响一个非常重要的器官--人脑--知之甚少。这项研究将使用先进的神经成像技术和认知测试来更好地了解吸烟对大脑及其功能的影响。这些信息可能有助于开发更好的药物和行为治疗，以帮助世界各地数百万无法戒烟的人。

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.