This is a second revision of an application written in response to PA-06-001. It describes a systematic 5- year training plan to launch an independent research career in neuroimaging of marijuana abuse through the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including structural MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to non-invasively measure brain structure and chemistry. This plan will allow the candidate, a neuroscientist, to initiate technologically sophisticated research of relevance to understanding marijuana abuse in adolescents and its potential role as a """"""""gateway"""""""" drug. This goal will be achieved through a rigorous training plan, integrating didactic and research components tailored to the candidate's goals and experience. The University of Hawaii (UH) provides an ideal training environment: UH is home to a brand new state-of-the-art 3 Tesla research dedicated MR scanner;and the mentors of this project are renowned for the application of these cutting-edge technologies to study mechanisms of drug addiction. Under their supervision, the candidate will evaluate adolescents with regular marijuana use and age and gender matched non-marijuana exposed subjects, using in vivo MRI, MRS, &DTI to measure of brain structure and chemistry, as well as secondary measures of cognitive abilities and cortisol levels. We hypothesize: 1) The proportion of gray matter volume relative to white matter volume will be lower in marijuana exposed subjects. 2) Multiple regions will have decreased glutamate and myo-inositol (glial marker) concentrations. 3) Increased cortisol and poorer cognitive performance will correlate with changes in brain structure and chemistry. This award would provide the PI with protected time to successfully become an independent investigator dedicated to the study of the brain's response to marijuana exposure during the critical adolescent years when the brain is still maturing.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01DA021203-05
Application #
8113975
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Boyce, Cheryl A
Project Start
2007-08-10
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2011-08-01
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$162,154
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Hawaii
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
965088057
City
Honolulu
State
HI
Country
United States
Zip Code
96822
Chang, Linda; Oishi, Kenichi; Skranes, Jon et al. (2016) Sex-Specific Alterations of White Matter Developmental Trajectories in Infants With Prenatal Exposure to Methamphetamine and Tobacco. JAMA Psychiatry 73:1217-1227
Cloak, Christine C; Alicata, Daniel; Ernst, Thomas M et al. (2015) Psychiatric Symptoms, Salivary Cortisol and Cytokine Levels in Young Marijuana Users. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 10:380-90
Douet, Vanessa; Chang, Linda; Cloak, Christine et al. (2014) Genetic influences on brain developmental trajectories on neuroimaging studies: from infancy to young adulthood. Brain Imaging Behav 8:234-50
Chang, Linda; Cloak, Christine C; Jiang, Caroline S et al. (2012) Lower glial metabolite levels in brains of young children with prenatal nicotine exposure. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 7:243-52
Cloak, Christine C; Alicata, Daniel; Chang, Linda et al. (2011) Age and sex effects levels of choline compounds in the anterior cingulate cortex of adolescent methamphetamine users. Drug Alcohol Depend 119:207-15
Cloak, Christine C; Chang, Linda; O'Neil, Shawn P et al. (2011) Neurometabolite abnormalities in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques with chronic morphine administration. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 6:371-80
King, George; Alicata, Daniel; Cloak, Christine et al. (2010) Psychiatric symptoms and HPA axis function in adolescent methamphetamine users. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 5:582-91
King, George; Alicata, Daniel; Cloak, Christine et al. (2010) Neuropsychological deficits in adolescent methamphetamine abusers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 212:243-9
Chang, L; Cloak, C; Jiang, C S et al. (2009) Altered neurometabolites and motor integration in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero. Neuroimage 48:391-7
Alicata, Daniel; Chang, Linda; Cloak, Christine et al. (2009) Higher diffusion in striatum and lower fractional anisotropy in white matter of methamphetamine users. Psychiatry Res 174:1-8

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