? Prenatal cocaine exposure during critical periods of development in rabbits selectively alters the structure of specific types of neurons and the coupling of the D1 dopamine (DA) receptor in DA-rich regions of the cerebral cortex, such as prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices. Consistent with findings in this model system, children exposed to cocaine in utero exhibit a developmental phenotype that resembles attention deficit disorder. The specific expression patterns of the D1 receptor, changes in neurophysiological properties of cortical interneurons modulated by DA, and disrupted attention will be investigated in the rabbit model of in utero cocaine exposure. Pharmacological manipulations will establish a direct role of D1 receptor dysfunction in the poor performance on tasks that tap attention systems. Preliminary data suggest that in utero cocaine results in systems that function normally at baseline, but when the system is challenged, behavioral abnormalities emerge. Detailed characterization of the developmental consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure in this animal model will facilitate an understanding of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms that disrupt behavior in the clinical population. ? ? ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DA020981-02
Application #
7216726
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Avila, Albert
Project Start
2006-03-01
Project End
2009-02-28
Budget Start
2007-03-01
Budget End
2008-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$51,278
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Thompson, Barbara L; Stanwood, Gregg D; Levitt, Pat (2010) Specificity of prenatal cocaine exposure effects on cortical interneurons is independent from dopamine D1 receptor co-localization. J Chem Neuroanat 39:228-34
Thompson, Barbara L; Stanwood, Gregg D (2009) Pleiotropic effects of neurotransmission during development: modulators of modularity. J Autism Dev Disord 39:260-8
Thompson, Barbara L; Levitt, Pat; Stanwood, Gregg D (2009) Prenatal exposure to drugs: effects on brain development and implications for policy and education. Nat Rev Neurosci 10:303-12