The Pilot Studies Program continues to play a crucial role in promoting the UCONN ARC'S vitality and growth. During the past 5 years, several innovative studies including: (1) microRNA regulation of HTR1B gene expression; (2) exercise as a behavioral intervention for hazardous drinking in college students; (3) examining genes that may affect problem drinking and obesity risk; and (4) examining the safety and efficacy of dutasteride as a treatment for heavy drinking were supported. One of these projects inspired a major component of this Center renewal application. Others have led, or are likely to lead, to applications for other types of extramural support. The Pilot Studies Program will continue to be managed by the PI and Executive Committee in consultation with internal and external advisors. Following an open call for proposals, applications will be reviewed to: (1) judge scientific merit; (2) improve the quality of the research through feedback, revision, and mentorship (if needed); (3) create a system whereby resources are allocated fairiy and equitably; and (4) ensure that the research meets ethical standards. Several projects are proposed. The first project will examine dermal fibroblasts, sampled from alcoholdependent and non-dependent subjects that are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and differentiated into neurons. The goal is to detect changes in NMDA receptor and GABAergic signaling in response to acute and chronic alcohol exposure. A second project will survey the fidelity and acceptance of Contingency Management for alcohol dependence as it is disseminated in clinical settings throughout the VA health care system. The third project will take advantage of the screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) initiative mandated by JCAHO and CMS for hospitals in New England, including UCHC. This study will develop process measures needed to evaluate the mechanisms of change attributable to factors other than the intervention. Projects proposed for the out years will be designed around new alcohol research collaborations being developed with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, the Jackson Laboratories' personalized medicine research facility now under construction on our campus.

Public Health Relevance

The Pilot Study Component allows UCONN ARC investigators to pursue and develop innovative projects related to the etiology and treatment of alcohol dependence and related behaviors, the theme of the Center. This component provides an incubator for new ideas, provides for a critical and collegial review of proposals, and provides resources to pilot test potentially important ideas. It is an especially important resource for new and junior investigators.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Comprehensive Center (P60)
Project #
4P60AA003510-39
Application #
8970663
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2015-12-01
Budget End
2016-11-30
Support Year
39
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Type
DUNS #
022254226
City
Farmington
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
Weiss, Nicole H; Bold, Krysten W; Contractor, Ateka A et al. (2018) Trauma exposure and heavy drinking and drug use among college students: Identifying the roles of negative and positive affect lability in a daily diary study. Addict Behav 79:131-137
Armeli, Stephen; Covault, Jonathan; Tennen, Howard (2018) Long-term changes in the effects of episode-specific drinking to cope motivation on daily well-being. Psychol Addict Behav 32:715-726
Higgins-Biddle, John C; Babor, Thomas F (2018) A review of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-C, and USAUDIT for screening in the United States: Past issues and future directions. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 44:578-586
Petry, Nancy M; Zajac, Kristyn; Ginley, Meredith K (2018) Behavioral Addictions as Mental Disorders: To Be or Not To Be? Annu Rev Clin Psychol 14:399-423
Lieberman, Richard; Kranzler, Henry R; Levine, Eric S et al. (2018) Examining the effects of alcohol on GABAA receptor mRNA expression and function in neural cultures generated from control and alcohol dependent donor induced pluripotent stem cells. Alcohol 66:45-53
Bauer, Lance O (2018) Inter-trial variability in brain activity as an indicator of synergistic effects of HIV-1 and drug abuse. Drug Alcohol Depend 191:300-308
Rash, Carla J; Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M (2018) A randomized trial of contingency management for smoking cessation in the homeless. Psychol Addict Behav 32:141-148
Bauer, Lance O (2018) HIV/AIDS and an overweight body mass are associated with excessive intra-individual variability in response preparation. J Neurovirol 24:577-586
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J et al. (2018) A randomized trial of contingency management reinforcing attendance at treatment: Do duration and timing of reinforcement matter? J Consult Clin Psychol 86:799-809
Rash, Carla J; Stitzer, Maxine; Weinstock, Jeremiah (2017) Contingency Management: New Directions and Remaining Challenges for An Evidence-Based Intervention. J Subst Abuse Treat 72:10-18

Showing the most recent 10 out of 238 publications