Abstract

One of the major challenges in ethanol research is to identify conserved genetic mechanisms that influence the effects of ethanol on behavior. Integrated molecular studies in mice and humans in conjunction with preliminary genetic analyses in my lab indicate that the Drosophila model is well suited for identifying conserved genes underlying ethanol behavior. In this pilot project we will expand on our preliminary work by exploiting the Drosophila model to evaluate several candidate loci for their impact on locomotor behavior in the presence of ethanol. All of the candidate genes we will investigate are good orthologues of mouse and human genes based on primary amino acid sequence and presence of conserved protein domains.
In Aim 1 we will assess the role of multiple candidate genes in ethanol sensitivity.
In Aim 2, we will determine whether these candidate genes influence ethanol tolerance. In both Aims, we will explore additional candidate genes that work in concert with loci that influence ethanol sensitivity or tolerance. The planned pilot project is a key step forward in using the Drosophila model to identify conserved genetic mechanisms underlying ethanol behavior.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
1P20AA017828-01
Application #
7674968
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-BB (80))
Project Start
2009-09-25
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-25
Budget End
2010-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$78,048
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Type
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298

  Publications

Edwards, Alexis C; Deak, Joseph D; Gizer, Ian R et al. (2018) Meta-Analysis of Genetic Influences on Initial Alcohol Sensitivity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 42:2349-2359
Tubbs, Justin D; Savage, Jeanne E; Adkins, Amy E et al. (2018) Mindfulness moderates the relation between trauma and anxiety symptoms in college students. J Am Coll Health :1-11
Do, Elizabeth K; Prom-Wormley, Elizabeth C; Fuemmeler, Bernard F et al. (2018) Associations Between Initial Subjective Experiences with Tobacco and Self-Reported Recent Use in Young Adulthood. Subst Use Misuse 53:2291-2298
Bourdon, Jessica L; Moore, Ashlee A; Long, Elizabeth C et al. (2018) The relationship between on-campus service utilization and common mental health concerns in undergraduate college students. Psychol Serv :
van der Vaart, Andrew; Meng, Xianfang; Bowers, M Scott et al. (2018) Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta regulates ethanol consumption and is a risk factor for alcohol dependence. Neuropsychopharmacology 43:2521-2531
Su, Jinni; Kuo, Sally I-Chun; Meyers, Jacquelyn L et al. (2018) Examining interactions between genetic risk for alcohol problems, peer deviance, and interpersonal traumatic events on trajectories of alcohol use disorder symptoms among African American college students. Dev Psychopathol 30:1749-1761
Peterson, Roseann E; Edwards, Alexis C; Bacanu, Silviu-Alin et al. (2017) The utility of empirically assigning ancestry groups in cross-population genetic studies of addiction. Am J Addict 26:494-501
Adkins, Amy E; Hack, Laura M; Bigdeli, Tim B et al. (2017) Genomewide Association Study of Alcohol Dependence Identifies Risk Loci Altering Ethanol-Response Behaviors in Model Organisms. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 41:911-928
van der Vaart, Andrew D; Wolstenholme, Jennifer T; Smith, Maren L et al. (2017) The allostatic impact of chronic ethanol on gene expression: A genetic analysis of chronic intermittent ethanol treatment in the BXD cohort. Alcohol 58:93-106
Bono, Rose S; Barnes, Andrew J; Dick, Danielle M et al. (2017) Drinking, Cigarette Smoking, and Employment Among American College Freshmen at a Four-Year University. Subst Use Misuse 52:182-193

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