This Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) will support the candidate in establishing an independent research career focused on the adult neurobehavioral outcomes of adolescent substance use disorders (SUDs). Career development activities will include: 1) Longitudinal research methodology and specific data analytic techniques; 2) Conceptualization of and construct development focusing on cognitive, behavioral, and affective aspects of dysregulation; and 3) Design and methodology of brain structure studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies. The central framework underlying the research plan is that adolescent SUDs exacerbate the propensity toward neurobehavioral dysregulation. Neurobehavioral dysregulation is reflected in a multiplicity of adulthood manifestations in affective, behavioral and cognitive domains, with hypothesized substrates in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and connections between these structures. The subjects (N=75) will be selectively recruited based upon SUD trajectories from 400 participants in an ongoing research program on adolescent SUDs (R01-DA-14635). Subjects will be divided into groups on the basis of SUD latent trajectories as follows: 1) Chronic, severe adolescent-onset SUD (n=25); 2) Mild adolescent-onset SUD (n=25); and 3) Matched community control, with no SUD history (n=25). The proposed research plan will characterize the following adult neurobehavioral outcomes: 1) Cognitive, behavioral, and affective aspects of neurobehavioral dysregulation, including executive cognitive functioning and selected personality disorder symptoms and diagnosis. 2) Prefrontal cortex and limbic system structure and white matter integrity and connectivity via MRI and DTI. It is anticipated that insights about risk profiles and SUD trajectories leading to adult neurobehavioral manifestations of dysregulation will allow for identification of relevant risk factors and neuroanatomical structures to be followed through critical developmental periods in future studies. The proposed career development and research activities will provide a solid foundation for the candidate to become an independent investigator specializing in neurobehavioral outcomes of adolescent SUDs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01DA018698-03
Application #
7175494
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-EXL-T (18))
Program Officer
Lynch, Minda
Project Start
2005-03-15
Project End
2010-01-31
Budget Start
2007-02-01
Budget End
2008-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$138,558
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Thatcher, Dawn L; Pajtek, Stefan; Tarter, Ralph et al. (2014) Amygdala Activation and Emotional Processing in Adolescents at Risk for Substance Use Disorders. J Child Adolesc Subst Abuse 23:200-204
Clark, D B; Chung, T; Pajtek, S et al. (2013) Neuroimaging methods for adolescent substance use disorder prevention science. Prev Sci 14:300-9
Chung, Tammy; Geier, Charles; Luna, Beatriz et al. (2011) Enhancing response inhibition by incentive: comparison of adolescents with and without substance use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 115:43-50
Clark, Duncan B; Thatcher, Dawn L; Martin, Christopher S (2010) Child abuse and other traumatic experiences, alcohol use disorders, and health problems in adolescence and young adulthood. J Pediatr Psychol 35:499-510
Thatcher, Dawn L; Pajtek, Stefan; Chung, Tammy et al. (2010) Gender differences in the relationship between white matter organization and adolescent substance use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 110:55-61
Clark, Duncan B; Thatcher, Dawn L; Tapert, Susan F (2008) Alcohol, psychological dysregulation, and adolescent brain development. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 32:375-85