Although tribes differ with regard to the use of alcohol and drugs the U.S. Indian Health Service has cited substance abuse as one of the most urgent health problems facing Native Americans. Morbidity and mortality rates attributable to alcohol and drugs among certain segments of the Native American population are at epidemic levels. Survey data suggest that American Indian youths' use of drugs is generally higher than any other ethnic group particularly for marijuana. Despite the devastating impact that alcohol and drugs has had in some tribes, how and why substance abuse is more prevalent in some Native American communities remains unclear. It appears from studies in the majority population that approximately 50-60% of the variance for drug dependence may be explained by genetic/biological factors. The overall objective of the research plan is to enhance understanding of the neurobehavioral risk factors for, and consequences of, marijuana use and use disorders in reservation dwelling Indians indigenous to San Diego county. A 33% lifetime prevalence rate for marijuana dependence, based on DSM IV, has been found in the currently assessed population and Mission Indian adolescent users are significantly more likely to develop marijuana dependence as compared to adults. Studies are proposed in this application aimed at finding identifiable neurobiological (EEG, ERPs, candidate gene polymorphisms (FAAH, CNR1)) and/or behavioral/cognitive (neuropsychological, measures of subjective effects) markers for those Native American youth who progress from marijuana use to abuse, and to dependence. As well as identify any long-term neuroadaptive changes in Mission Indians after repeated adolescent marijuana exposure as indexed by MRI, EEG, ERPs, neuropsychological and behavioral functioning. We believe these studies will not only allow for the identification of factors associated with risk for and consequences of marijuana dependence in these tribes but eventually should also guide the development of prevention and intervention programs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA019333-03
Application #
7109341
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-MXG-S (16))
Program Officer
Sirocco, Karen
Project Start
2004-09-30
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2006-08-01
Budget End
2007-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$580,968
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Gizer, Ian R; Ehlers, Cindy L; Vieten, Cassandra et al. (2012) Genome-wide linkage scan of antisocial behavior, depression, and impulsive substance use in the UCSF family alcoholism study. Psychiatr Genet 22:235-44
Gilder, David A; Ehlers, Cindy L (2012) Depression symptoms associated with cannabis dependence in an adolescent American Indian community sample. Am J Addict 21:536-43
Ehlers, Cindy L; Gizer, Ian R; Gilder, David A et al. (2011) Linkage analyses of stimulant dependence, craving, and heavy use in American Indians. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 156B:772-80
Ehlers, Cindy L; Gizer, Ian R; Vieten, Cassandra et al. (2010) Cannabis dependence in the San Francisco Family Study: age of onset of use, DSM-IV symptoms, withdrawal, and heritability. Addict Behav 35:102-10
Ehlers, Cindy L; Phillips, Evelyn; Gizer, Ian R et al. (2010) EEG spectral phenotypes: heritability and association with marijuana and alcohol dependence in an American Indian community study. Drug Alcohol Depend 106:101-10
Ehlers, Cindy L; Gilder, David A; Gizer, Ian R et al. (2009) Heritability and a genome-wide linkage analysis of a Type II/B cluster construct for cannabis dependence in an American Indian community. Addict Biol 14:338-48
Gilder, David A; Lau, Philip; Ehlers, Cindy L (2009) Item response theory analysis of lifetime cannabis-use disorder symptom severity in an American Indian community sample. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 70:839-49
Ehlers, Cindy L; Gilder, David A; Slutske, Wendy S et al. (2008) Externalizing disorders in American Indians: comorbidity and a genome wide linkage analysis. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 147B:690-8
Ehlers, Cindy L; Gilder, David A; Phillips, Evelyn (2008) P3 components of the event-related potential and marijuana dependence in Southwest California Indians. Addict Biol 13:130-42
Ehlers, Cindy L; Slutske, Wendy S; Gilder, David A et al. (2007) Age of first marijuana use and the occurrence of marijuana use disorders in Southwest California Indians. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 86:290-6

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