This is a revised New Investigator-initiated R01 application designed to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying methamphetamine addiction, as well as the effects of pharmacological treatments aimed at curbing substance abuse. Specifically, the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the abuse-related effects of methamphetamine is poorly understood. For example, indirect nAChR agonists, or antagonists in preclinical and clinical studies have reported decreases in the abuse-related effects of methamphetamine. This application proposes to address this critical barrier to scientific progress regarding the role of nAChR in the abuse-related effects of methamphetamine. Our working hypothesis is that the abuse-related effects of methamphetamine are mediated through combined dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) release. Accordingly, we propose the following Specific Aims using a within-subjects design in rhesus monkeys.
Aim#1 will determine the effects of DA and nAChR agonists and antagonists on the discriminative stimulus effects of methamphetamine.
Aim#2 will determine the effects of maintenance on an indirect DA agonist or DA antagonist ? nAChR antagonist on the reinforcing effects of methamphetamine.

Public Health Relevance

Methamphetamine abuse is a major public health problem with no Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapies or effective treatment strategies. The clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine from over-the-counter cold remedies (pseudoephedrine) also poses a public health risk because the ingredients are highly flammable and explosive. This application proposes preclinical studies to determine the pharmacological mechanisms of methamphetamine abuse towards the development of pharmacotherapies. Our public health goal is to promote the translation of preclinical results to positive clinical outcomes in treating methamphetamine abuse.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DA031718-01A1
Application #
8297057
Study Section
Biobehavioral Regulation, Learning and Ethology Study Section (BRLE)
Program Officer
Acri, Jane
Project Start
2012-09-15
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2012-09-15
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$356,276
Indirect Cost
$121,884
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
Banks, Matthew L; Negus, S Stevens (2017) Insights from Preclinical Choice Models on Treating Drug Addiction. Trends Pharmacol Sci 38:181-194
Banks, Matthew L; Czoty, Paul W; Negus, Sidney S (2017) Utility of Nonhuman Primates in Substance Use Disorders Research. ILAR J 58:202-215
Smith, Douglas A; Blough, Bruce E; Banks, Matthew L (2017) Cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of amphetamine, cathinone, methamphetamine, and their 3,4-methylenedioxy analogs in male rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 234:117-127
Banks, Matthew L (2017) Utility of preclinical drug versus food choice procedures to evaluate candidate medications for methamphetamine use disorder. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1394:92-105
Banks, Matthew L (2016) Effects of 7-day repeated treatment with the 5-HT2A inverse agonist/antagonist pimavanserin on methamphetamine vs. food choice in male rhesus monkeys. Drug Alcohol Depend 165:260-4
Banks, Matthew L; Smith, Douglas A; Blough, Bruce E (2016) Methamphetamine-like discriminative stimulus effects of bupropion and its two hydroxy metabolites in male rhesus monkeys. Behav Pharmacol 27:196-203
Banks, Matthew L; Smith, Douglas A; Kisor, David F et al. (2016) Relationship between discriminative stimulus effects and plasma methamphetamine and amphetamine levels of intramuscular methamphetamine in male rhesus monkeys. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 141:58-65
Banks, Matthew L; Blough, Bruce E (2015) Effects of Environmental Manipulations and Treatment with Bupropion and Risperidone on Choice between Methamphetamine and Food in Rhesus Monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 40:2198-206
Schwienteck, Kathryn L; Banks, Matthew L (2015) Effects of 7-day continuous D-amphetamine, methylphenidate, and cocaine treatment on choice between methamphetamine and food in male rhesus monkeys. Drug Alcohol Depend 155:16-23
Nader, Michael A; Banks, Matthew L (2014) Environmental modulation of drug taking: Nonhuman primate models of cocaine abuse and PET neuroimaging. Neuropharmacology 76 Pt B:510-7

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