The long term goal of this clinician scientist development award is to understand how early events, immediately after drug use, can affect the outcome of substance abuse. In these studies, the investigators will examine the interrelationships among pharmacokinetic, neurochemical and behavioral responses for two prototypic stimulant drugs of abuse (methamphetamine and phencyclidine). The study of the common and diverse mechanisms of stimulant effects in animal models of real-life human drug use should lead to more rational treatment plans in acute care settings and to a better understanding of the long-term consequences of stimulant abuse. To accomplish these goals, the investigators will perform a separate series of identical studies for each of the drugs. First, a systematic pharmacokinetic study of plasma and tissue concentrations will be conducted to determine the rate and extent of central nervous system (CNS) drug penetration. Second, dose-response relationships for neurochemical and behavioral responses will be determined. In these studies, rapid in vivo electrochemical changes in CNS dopamine levels in freely moving animals will be measured. These data will then be used to develop a combined pharmacokinetic- pharmacodynamic model of drug response for each drug. Third, the effects of route (iv vs. intraperitoneal) and rate of administration on neurochemical and behavioral responses will be measured. These studies should provide a neurochemical basis for why drug abusers usually prefer rapid routes of administration (iv and smoking) over other modes of administration (e.g, oral). Fourth, the combined models of abuse will be tested and extended using newly invented therapeutic agents. High affinity drug- specific antibodies will be used to rapidly reduce brain concentrations. The effects of this therapy on neurochemical and behavioral responses to each of the prototypic drugs will be analyzed. Scientific growth will be aided through collaboration with a well established mentor, consultant, and other scientists. Specific training will be obtained in the areas of analytical and behavioral pharmacology, statistics, computer modeling, and neuroscience.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DA000339-02
Application #
2897643
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Project Start
1998-05-10
Project End
2003-04-30
Budget Start
1999-05-01
Budget End
2000-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department
Anesthesiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Little Rock
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72205
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Laurenzana, Elizabeth M; Gunnell, Melinda G; Gentry, W Brooks et al. (2003) Treatment of adverse effects of excessive phencyclidine exposure in rats with a minimal dose of monoclonal antibody. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 306:1092-8
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Proksch, J W; Gentry, W B; Owens, S M (2000) Anti-phencyclidine monoclonal antibodies provide long-term reductions in brain phencyclidine concentrations during chronic phencyclidine administration in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 292:831-7
Riviere, G J; Byrnes, K A; Gentry, W B et al. (1999) Spontaneous locomotor activity and pharmacokinetics of intravenous methamphetamine and its metabolite amphetamine in the rat. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 291:1220-6