This proposal is designed to provide the candidate with the training and research experience that is necessary to become an independent investigator. The applicant has a strong background in behavioral neuroscience with experience in developmental animal research for the study of age-related alterations in sensitivity to alcohol. The candidate also has received training in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods and has applied them to study human cerebral metabolic function following acute and chronic exposure to drugs of abuse. The goal of the proposed career development plan is to merge these two diverse research experiences while extending the candidate's skills to include assessment of neurocognitive function and determination of GABA levels using two dimensional (2D) 1H-MRS during human development. Adolescence has been widely accepted as a critical period of brain maturation, resulting from neuronal, as well as hormonal influences. Moreover, the initiation of alcohol use typically occurs during this critical period of brain development. Given extensive data documenting the effects of alcohol on a number of neural systems, it is probable that a heightened level of alcohol consumption could adversely alter the process of neurocognitive function, as well as brain GABA levels during development. Thus, this proposal will examine 1) neurocognitive performance in healthy adolescents; 2) brain GABA levels, and its relationship to neurocognitive function in healthy adolescents; and 3) the impact of adolescent alcohol use on normative development of neurocognitive function and GABA levels. These studies will be conducted using a cross sectional design, which includes cohorts of young (10-14 years) and older adolescents (18-22 years). Findings from the proposed study will document the impact of alcohol use on the central nervous system during development, which has implications for both identification and treatment of alcohol-related disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AA014651-04
Application #
7281630
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Witt, Ellen
Project Start
2004-09-28
Project End
2009-08-31
Budget Start
2007-09-01
Budget End
2008-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$111,601
Indirect Cost
Name
Mclean Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
046514535
City
Belmont
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02478
Mashhoon, Y; Sava, S; Sneider, J T et al. (2015) Cortical thinness and volume differences associated with marijuana abuse in emerging adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 155:275-83
Sneider, Jennifer T; Hamilton, Derek A; Cohen-Gilbert, Julia E et al. (2015) Sex differences in spatial navigation and perception in human adolescents and emerging adults. Behav Processes 111:42-50
Cohen-Gilbert, Julia E; Sneider, Jennifer T; Crowley, David J et al. (2015) Impact of family history of alcoholism on glutamine/glutamate ratio in anterior cingulate cortex in substance-naïve adolescents. Dev Cogn Neurosci 16:147-154
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Cohen-Gilbert, J E; Killgore, W D S; White, C N et al. (2014) Differential influence of safe versus threatening facial expressions on decision-making during an inhibitory control task in adolescence and adulthood. Dev Sci 17:212-23
Cohen-Gilbert, Julia E; Jensen, J Eric; Silveri, Marisa M (2014) Contributions of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to understanding development: potential applications in the study of adolescent alcohol use and abuse. Dev Psychopathol 26:405-23
Mashhoon, Yasmin; Czerkawski, Charles; Crowley, David J et al. (2014) Binge alcohol consumption in emerging adults: anterior cingulate cortical ""thinness"" is associated with alcohol use patterns. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 38:1955-64
Silveri, Marisa M; Cohen-Gilbert, Julia; Crowley, David J et al. (2014) Altered anterior cingulate neurochemistry in emerging adult binge drinkers with a history of alcohol-induced blackouts. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 38:969-79
Silveri, Marisa M; Sneider, Jennifer T; Crowley, David J et al. (2013) Frontal lobe ?-aminobutyric acid levels during adolescence: associations with impulsivity and response inhibition. Biol Psychiatry 74:296-304
Mashhoon, Yasmin; Jensen, J Eric; Sneider, Jennifer T et al. (2013) Lower Left Thalamic Myo-Inositol Levels Associated with Greater Cognitive Impulsivity in Marijuana-Dependent Young Men: Preliminary Spectroscopic Evidence at 4T. J Addict Res Ther Suppl 4:

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