The prefrontal cortex plays an executive role in the expression and control of emotion and goal-directed behaviors;yet, it is one of the last brain regions to mature. Of great concern is how """"""""risky, impulsive behaviors"""""""" such as binge alcohol drinking in male and female teenagers may impacts maturational processes (e.g., myelinization) within the prefrontal cortex to have long-lasting consequences on psychiatric health. This proposal uses an innovative and clinically relevant model to elicit (and control) frequent bouts of voluntary binge drinking in male and female rats to investigate the causal effects, underlying mechanisms, and reversibility of adolescent binge drinking myelinated axons in prefrontal cortex.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to public health. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance of abuse during adolescence and male and female teenagers engage primarily in risky, heavy episodic drinking (binge drinking). The proposed studies use a multidisciplinary approach to fill a significant gap in knowledge regarding the long-term effects (and reversibility) of binge drinking on the on the developing prefrontal cortex in male and female rats.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AA021013-02
Application #
8463070
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Regunathan, Soundar
Project Start
2012-05-01
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$170,850
Indirect Cost
$60,412
Name
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
153926712
City
Amherst
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01003
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