The candidates research goals have focused on the use of electrophysiological and neuroendocrinological techniques for the evaluation of brain function. In the research program described in this grant, physiological and behavioral methods are used to study risk factors for ethanol abuse as well as the CNS consequences of ethanol exposure. Studies are proposed in clinical populations and in appropriate animal models. The use of parallel studies in humans and animals allows for the identification of clinically relevant measures in humans and provides a basis to explore the neural systems underlying such measures in animals models. This program involves four sets of studies that will be conducted over the next five years: l) identification of genetic risk factors at baseline and in response to ethanol exposure in Native Americans. 2) Electrophysiological studies of P and NP rats aimed at understanding brain mechanisms underlying alcohol preference. 3) Evaluation of the long term physiological effects of alcohol exposure during the perinatal period. 4) Development of new theoretical approaches to alcoholism based on principles from nonlinear dynamics. The Scripps Research Institute has an active program with six major laboratories dedicating a major portion of their research effort to alcohol research. In addition TSRI has an Alcohol Research Center that draws not only from the Scripps faculty but also from faculty in the neighboring institutions of SDSU, UCSD, and the Salk institute. Therefore Dr. Ehlers has wide access to research collaboration, as well ample possibilities to train and mentor young investigators in alcohol research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Scientist Award (K05)
Project #
5K05AA000223-04
Application #
6124026
Study Section
Biochemistry, Physiology and Medicine Subcommittee (ALCB)
Project Start
1996-12-01
Project End
2001-11-30
Budget Start
1999-12-01
Budget End
2000-11-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$99,630
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Katner, S N; Slawecki, C J; Ehlers, C L (2002) Neuropeptide Y administration into the third ventricle does not increase sucrose or ethanol self-administration but does affect the cortical EEG and increases food intake. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 160:146-54
Gilder, David A; Wall, Tamara L; Ehlers, Cindy L (2002) Psychiatric diagnoses among Mission Indian children with and without a parental history of alcohol dependence. J Stud Alcohol 63:18-23
Jimenez-Vasquez, P A; Mathe, A A; Thomas, J D et al. (2001) Early maternal separation alters neuropeptide Y concentrations in selected brain regions in adult rats. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 131:149-52
Ehlers, C L; Wall, T L; Garcia-Andrade, C et al. (2001) Visual P3 findings in Mission Indian youth: relationship to family history of alcohol dependence and behavioral problems. Psychiatry Res 105:67-78
Ehlers, C L; Wall, T L; Garcia-Andrade, C et al. (2001) Auditory P3 findings in mission Indian youth. J Stud Alcohol 62:562-70
Slawecki, C J; Betancourt, M; Cole, M et al. (2001) Periadolescent alcohol exposure has lasting effects on adult neurophysiological function in rats. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 128:63-72
Wall, T L; Garcia-Andrade, C; Wong, V et al. (2000) Parental history of alcoholism and problem behaviors in Native-American children and adolescents. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:30-4
Ehlers, C L; Somes, C; Lopez, A L et al. (1998) Long latency event-related potentials in rats: response of amygdala, nucleus accumbens, dorsal hippocampus and frontal cortex to changes in reward characteristics of conditioned stimuli. Brain Res 780:138-42