The Pilot Project Component is designed to provide a flexible means for developing and exploring newresearch activities or directions, and unique opportunities that can evolve into independently fundedresearch projects. In addition, the Pilot Project Component provides a resource for attracting newinvestigators into drug abuse research. We propose to fund an average of three pilot projects per year withan average budget of $33K. The expected duration of these pilot projects will be 1-2 years. The CenterScientific Director will manage this Component. Pilot Project Component applications will be solicited from allOHSU- and Portland VA Medical Center-based investigators annually. Each proposal will be evaluated forscientific merit/innovation, thematic alignment and several other criteria by at least two members of theCenter's Scientific Advisory Board, the Scientific Director, and the Center Director. Recommendations forfunding will be considered for approval by the Center Executive Committee. Three pilot projects areproposed for funding in Year 1 of the Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center (MARC). Project 8A (W.Hoffman, PI) will use functional magnetic resonance imaging to study neuroanatomical associates of MAaddiction and heightened impulsivity. Project 8B (S. Mitchell, PI) will examine in mice the notion thatimpulsivity is related to MA self-administration, using a delay discounting procedure. Project 8C (J. Raber,PI) will explore the hypothesis that histamine mediates the detrimental long-term effects of neonatal MAexposure on cognition. All of these pilots are related to a Center theme at least by virtue of their examinationof MA effects. In addition, mice used in Project 8B and 8C will share genetic background with those used inScientific Components 5 and 6, and will obtain mice from the Animal Core. Pilot project 8A also relates to theCenter impulsivity, neuroadaptation and neuroanatomy themes; Pilot project 8B relates to the Centerimpulsivity theme; and Pilot project 8C relates to the Center stressor responsivity and neuroadaptationthemes. It is expected that Pilot Component projects funded in years 2-5 of the Center will contribute to thestudy of MA abuse and to one or more of the additional themes of the Center: Impulsivity, stressorresponsivity, neuroadaptation, and neuroanatomy, and to our goal of pursuing translational research inpreclinical and clinical models.
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