This application proposes to assess the long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on the brain dopaminergic system and reinforcing effects of cocaine in a nonhuman primate model of drug abuse through methods of intravenous self-administration. I will also examine an individual trait that may predispose drug self-administration through behavioral and biochemical measures of impulsivity. To assess impulsivity, I will use food-food delay discounting procedures as well as measure cerebrospinal fluid 5HT, DA, 5-HIAA, and HVA levels. Next, I will assess unconditioned behaviors elicited by dopamine type 1 (D1) and dopamine type 3 (D3) receptor agonists in order to characterize the dopaminergic receptor system. Finally, I will use a fixed ratio schedule to measure acquisition of self-administration behavior. I will also correlate the impulsivity measures with the self-administration acquisition and correlate the behavioral responses to the dopamine agonists with the self-administration acquisition. By examining these relationships, I hope to gain a more thorough understanding of the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure and potential for drug abuse. Understanding the long-term consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure will allow for increased public awareness, and allow clinicians to target prevention and treatment strategies to combat cocaine addiction and abuse more appropriately for this group of individuals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DA024485-02
Application #
7643825
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Babecki, Beth
Project Start
2008-06-03
Project End
2010-06-02
Budget Start
2009-06-03
Budget End
2010-06-02
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$41,176
Indirect Cost
Name
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
937727907
City
Winston-Salem
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27157
Hamilton, Lindsey R; Czoty, Paul W; Nader, Michael A (2011) Behavioral characterization of adult male and female rhesus monkeys exposed to cocaine throughout gestation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 213:799-808
Hamilton, Lindsey R; Czoty, Paul W; Gage, H Donald et al. (2010) Characterization of the dopamine receptor system in adult rhesus monkeys exposed to cocaine throughout gestation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 210:481-8