Utility of Olfactory Function Measures in Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案概述了由独立之路奖(K99/R00)提供资金进行的研究和培训。该奖项头两年的培训目标是促进神经成像和人类行为评估方面的培训，为我在学术界的翻译研究生涯做好准备，并加快我走向独立的进程。在K99阶段，我将完成具有下列目标的研究项目：(1)确定嗅觉功能测量在区分产前酒精暴露(PAE)儿童和非酒精暴露儿童(包括正常对照儿童)和特发性注意力缺陷/多动障碍(ADHD)儿童方面的有效性；以及(2)了解这些儿童群体中导致他们行为的神经差异。我将接受强化训练，以获得进行神经成像研究所需的专业知识。我还将开始使用功能磁共振成像(FMRI)的研究，以调查PAE、ADHD和CON儿童中央嗅觉处理系统的差异。我将通过参加相关的研讨会和科学会议，发表我的研究成果，并参加独立教师职位的面试来促进我的职业发展。被推荐的导师Edward Riley博士、Claire Murphy博士和Jay Giedd博士分别是胎儿酒精谱系障碍、化学感觉和儿科神经发育领域的专家。圣地亚哥州立大学行为畸形学中心和加州大学圣地亚哥分校的合作研究和培训环境将为我提供必要的资源，以实现本提案中概述的目标。在为期3年的R00奖项阶段，我将把自己作为一名独立研究员，继续我对PAE和ADHD儿童嗅觉功能的研究，目标如下：(1)研究注意力缺陷、嗅觉功能、神经激活模式和刺激性治疗反应之间的关系；以及(2)利用小鼠模型确定嗅觉功能指标在预测PAE儿童对心理刺激治疗的慢性反应中的价值。这项提案中描述的工作符合NIAAA的使命，即“改善FASD的诊断，增加对酒精对胎儿影响的了解，并开发有效的干预措施，以减轻产前接触酒精的人的健康影响。”

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal outlines research and training to occur with funding from a Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00). The training objective during the first two years of the award is to foster training in neuroimaging and human behavioral assessment to prepare me for a translational research career in academia, and accelerate my progress towards independence. During the K99 phase, I will complete research projects with the following goals: (1) determine the utility of olfactory function measures for distinguishing children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from non-exposed typically developing control children (CON) and children with idiopathic attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and (2) understand the neural dissimilarities in these groups of children that contribute to their behavior. I will undertake an intensive training regimen to obtain the necessary expertise to conduct neuroimaging research. I will also begin studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate differences in central olfactory processing systems in PAE, ADHD and CON children. I will promote my career development by attending relevant seminars and scientific conferences, publishing my research findings, and interviewing for independent faculty positions. The proposed mentors, Drs. Edward Riley, Claire Murphy, and Jay Giedd are experts in the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, chemical senses, and pediatric neurodevelopment fields, respectively. The collaborative research and training environments at the Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, and University of California, San Diego will provide me with the necessary resources to complete the aims outlined in this proposal. In the 3-year R00 phase of the award, I will establish myself in my new role as an independent researcher and continue my research on olfactory functioning in children with PAE and ADHD with the following goals: (1) examine the relationship between attention deficits, olfactory function, neural activation patterns and stimulant treatment responses; and (2) determine the value of olfactory function measures in predicting chronic responses to psychostimulant treatments in children with PAE using a mouse-model. The work described in this proposal is in line with NIAAA's mission for "improving diagnosis of FASD, increasing the understanding of the effects of alcohol on the unborn child, and developing effective interventions to mitigate the health effects on those prenatally exposed to alcohol."