Abstract

The goal of this research proposal is to evaluate the impact of acute drug response on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal. Specifically, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram, on neuronal activation elicited during an affective task using fMRI, and to evaluate the impact of a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) on task-related neuronal activation during citalopram administration. This double-blind placebo-controlled randomized crossover of intravenous (IV) citalopram and normal saline during two fMRI scans in sixteen healthy subjects will generate the first in vivo human data regarding the regional effects of an SSRI on affective task-related neuronal activation. We hypothesize that acute administration of IV citalopram will oppose the task-related increase in neuronal activity in the amygdala, as measured by fMRI, and that this opposition will be blunted in subjects that carry the s allele for the 5-HTTLPR. The purpose of this award is to provide the applicant with two years of support during her doctoral training, while she completes this research for her thesis.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH076420-02
Application #
7125136
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-I (09))
Program Officer
Rubio, Mercedes
Project Start
2005-09-30
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2006-09-30
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$24,796
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213

  Publications

Sherer, Eric A; Sale, Mark E; Pollock, Bruce G et al. (2012) Application of a single-objective, hybrid genetic algorithm approach to pharmacokinetic model building. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 39:393-414
Bigos, Kristin L; Pollock, Bruce G; Aizenstein, Howard J et al. (2008) Acute 5-HT reuptake blockade potentiates human amygdala reactivity. Neuropsychopharmacology 33:3221-5
Rea, Rhonda S; Capitano, Blair; Bies, Robert et al. (2008) Suboptimal aminoglycoside dosing in critically ill patients. Ther Drug Monit 30:674-81
Bigos, Kristin L; Hariri, Ahmad R (2007) Neuroimaging: technologies at the interface of genes, brain, and behavior. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 17:459-67, viii
Bigos, Kristin L; Bies, Robert R; Pollock, Bruce G (2006) Population pharmacokinetics in geriatric psychiatry. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 14:993-1003