The effects of drugs on pupil size are among the most easily detected and characteristic signs of drug action. Several animal studies conducted at the ARC have clarified the neural mechanisms through which psychoactive drugs influence pupil diameter and the light reflex. This research has been extended to clinical studies where the pupillary effects of several classes of abused drugs were compared to their performance and subjective effects. Additional research on retinal physiology using newly developed pupillometers has yielded new information of the retinal processing of the light reflex. Since retinal neural organization mimics brain neural systems, it is proposed that the influence of drugs in this system indicates drug mechanisms elsewhere in the brain. Dependent measures of these studies include pupil size, constriction and dilation velocities of the light reflex, smooth pursuit, and saccadic tracking. These studies are typically within subject repeated measure design, and drugs are administered in a double blind and placebo controlled design Progress to date includes studies of the effects of marijuana, ethanol, cocaine, opiates amphetamine have been studies after various routes of administration.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01DA000093-03
Application #
3752843
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code