I. Budget and Legislation |
(Dollars in thousands)
|
FY 1999 Actuals |
FY 2000 Appropriation |
FY 2001 President's Request |
Extramural Research |
|
|
|
Grants and Contracts |
$214,301 |
$244,531 |
$255,263 |
Research Training |
6,747 |
7,776 |
8,644 |
Intramural Research |
24,634 |
25,973 |
29,264 |
Research Management and Support |
13,253 |
14,089 |
15,490 |
Total, NIAAA (including AIDS) |
258,935 |
292,369 |
308,661 |
AIDS (included in figures above) |
(16,187) |
(19,243) |
(20,083) |
Percent increase over prior year |
|
12.9 percent |
5.6 percent |
The FY 2001 President's Budget Request for NIH, including AIDS, is $18.8 billion, a 5.6 percent increase as compared to the previous year. As in prior years, AIDS funding for all NIH Institutes is requested under the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) which has oversight authority for the NIH AIDS research.
The FY 2001 President's Budget request for NIAAA is $308.7 million, including $20.0 million for AIDS research. The total request would provide an increase of $16.3 million (or 5.6 percent) over the FY 2000 appropriation of $292.4 million.
The FY 2001 President's Request for the NlH and the NIAAA features special emphasis initiatives in emerging areas of science that would include biology of the brain, genetic medicine, new preventive strategies against disease and new avenues for the development of therapeutics. Formal identification of areas of high program relevance enables the NIAAA to stimulate new activity in these promising areas.
The FY 2001 President's request (including AIDS) would provide for:
608 research project grants (RPGs) for $188.2 million, 22 grants less than last year but $5.9 million over the FY 2000 level. The FY 2001 President's Budget Request would support an additional 28 noncompeting RPGs with $20.4 million over the FY 2000 levels and 123 competing research project grants for $36.8 million as compared to 175 competing grants for $51.2 million in FY 2000. The Institute estimates over one fifth of the qualified applications would be funded at this level.
$.9 million increase for alcohol research centers, 3.7 percent over the FY 2000 level to support the development of health education components within the centers.
76 research career awards, an increase of 5 awards and $.5 million over the FY 2000 level, and other extramural research activities at a level of $13.9 million, $.7 million over the FY 2000 funding support. The research activities include cooperative agreements, science education, and other related research.
an increase of almost $.9 million to support 20 additional training positions over the FY 2000 level of 222 positions.
An increase of $2.7 million in the research and development contract budget to support the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions and inflationary increases.
An increase of $3.3 million for Intramural research. This increase would support the creation of a new neuroscience lab and the hiring of a new clinical lab chief and the reorganization of the clinical lab.
An increase for research management and support (RM&S) activities to support hiring of scientific program staff for expanded areas of research, augmented research dissemination efforts and inflationary increases over the FY 2000 level.
The FY 2001 NIAAA House appropriation hearings are scheduled for February 17, 2000. The FY 2001 NIH Senate appropriation hearings are scheduled for March 8, 2000.
LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
106TH CONGRESS |
Major Alcohol-Related Legislation of Interest to NIAAA |
Alcohol Labeling. On February 22, 1999, Senator Thurmond (R-SC) introduced three bills. The first, S. 431, the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act, would transfer authority over alcoholic beverage labeling from the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), to the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. The second bill, S. 432, the Alcohol Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Trust Fund Act of 1999, would create a trust fund dedicated to programs (including NIAAA research) for the prevention and treatment of alcohol related problems and be paid for by a new tax on wine to make its taxation similar to the tax currently on distilled spirits. The third bill, S. 433, the Alcoholic Beverage Label Preservation Act of 1999, would block the use of the two newly approved health claims labels approved by Treasury and the BATF by amending the law to prohibit alcohol containers from bearing any statement related to health other than the Surgeon General's warning label. No further legislative action has occurred on these bills since introduction.
Internet Alcohol Sales. In May, as part of the juvenile justice bill (S. 254), the Senate passed legislation to restrict alcohol sales through the Internet. H.R. 2094 was introduced on June 9, 1999 and would authorize any State, D.C., U.S. territory to bring an action in the appropriate U.S. district court to enjoin the shipment or transportation of liquor violating the laws of such state. On August 3, 1999 the House passed H.R. 2031 which would allow state attorneys general to prosecute in federal court out-of-state companies that ship alcohol in violation of state law. It is intended to target businesses that market alcohol through the Internet, mail-order catalogs, and telephone sales. No further legislative action has occurred on these bills.
Appropriations
The Cassava and Southwest Asia Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act 1999 (H.R. 1664) introduced by Congressman Young (R-FL) on May 4, 1999, became law (P.L. 106-51) on August 17, 1999. This law includes provisions rescinding some administrative and travel funds. The NIH portion of the rescission is $10.230 million.
Federal Grants - Circular A-110
On January 6, 1999, Congressman Brown (D-CA) introduced H.R. 88, a bill to amend the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, to repeal the requirement regarding data produced under Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations. This bill would repeal a legislative provision included in P.L. 105-277, the omnibus bill making appropriations for FY 1999 directing the Office of Management and Budget to amend Circular A-110 requiring Federal agencies to ensure that all data produced under grants made to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations be made available to the public through procedures established under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A hearing was held on July 15 by the House Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology. Dr. Harold Varmus testified. No further legislative action has occurred on this bill.
A new bill (S. 1437) was introduced on July 26, 1999 by Senator Moynihan (D-NY) which would repeal the legislative provision concerning the availability of data under the FOIA. No further legislative action has occurred on this bill.
Representatives Walsh (R-NY) and Price (D-NC) offered an amendment to the FY 2000 Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2490) to delay implementation of this provision for one year. The amendment was rejected in Committee 26-32: R 5-28; D 21-4, July 13, 1999.
Medical Records Privacy and Research
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) provides that if Congress is unsuccessful in enacting legislation by August 21, 1999, the Secretary of HHS must promulgate final regulations to address medical records privacy and confidentiality by February 21, 2000. A number of bills have been introduced regarding medical records privacy: S. 573 (Leahy, D-VT/Kennedy, D-MA), S. 578 (Jeffords, R-VT) and S. 881 (Bennett, R-UT), H.R. 1941 (Condit, D-CA), and H.R. 2470 (Greenwood, R-PA), among others. The current draft being worked on in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, would permit protected health information to be released to researchers without consent, if certain requirements are met. Researchers currently covered by the Common Rule will be required to go through Institution Review Board review to obtain protected health information without consent. Researchers not covered by the Common Rule will be required to adhere to a mechanism similar to, but less restrictive, than the Common Rule.
The House held a hearing on H.R. 2470 (companion bill to S. 881) on July 15, 1999, but Congress did not pass legislation prior to the "regulation" deadline. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) which was published in the Federal Register on November 3, 1999. Comments are due by February 17, 2000. NIH has posted a summary on the proposed privacy rule at www.nih.gov/news/privacy_primer.htm [update: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114230540/http://privacyruleandresearch.nih.gov/clin_research.asp]
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
On May 14, 1999, the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government adopted an amendment by Congresswoman Roybal-Allard (D-CA) to H.R. 2490 expanding the authority of the ONDCP to address underage alcohol use in its drug-free media campaign. On July 13, in full Committee, Congresswoman Northup's (R-KY) amendment to delete the language allowing the ONDCP to use anti-alcohol messages in its anti-drug campaign was adopted. H.R. 2490 was reported out of Committee on July 13 (H. Rpt. 106-231). The bill passed the House by one vote (210-209) on July 15, 1999 and passed the Senate, as amended (with S. 1282) on July 19. During Senate debate on S. 1282, Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) also submitted an amendment to include alcohol in the ONDCP media-campaign. The amendment was tabled (failed). A conference was requested. The House and Senate passed the conference agreement and the bill became P.L. 106-58, signed by the President on September 29, 1999.
In a separate alcohol media campaign attempt, Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) submitted an amendment to S. 1217, the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill, which would have provided funds from increases in the Department of Justice budget for a media campaign to prevent alcohol consumption by individuals in the U.S. who have not attained the age of 21. The amendment was rejected.
Parity
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Bill. On April 21, 1999 Congresswoman Roukema (R-NJ) re-introduced last Congress' Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Bill (H.R. 1515). The bill was referred jointly to three House Committees: (1) Education and Workforce, (2) Commerce, and (3) Ways and Means. The substance abuse portion of this bill is virtually identical to last year's bill and would require that companies that choose to provide substance abuse coverage shall not impose treatment limitations or financial requirements on the substance abuse treatment benefits unless similar limitations or requirements are imposed for medical and surgical benefits. Substance abuse coverage is not required by the bill. No further action has occurred on the bill since introduction.
Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act. On May 27, 1999, Congressman Ramstad (R-MN) introduced H.R. 1977, the Harold Hughes, Bill Emerson Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act, a bill to provide parity with respect to substance abuse treatment benefits under group health plans and health insurance coverage. The bill would not mandate that insurers offer substance abuse treatment benefits, however those who do so choose would not be permitted to impose treatment limitations or financial requirements on substance abuse treatment benefits, unless similar limitation are imposed for medical and surgical benefits. The bill defines small businesses for exemption as between two and 50 employees and contains a sunset date of January 1, 2005. This bill also contains the following language which would exclude the use of methadone:
"The term 'substance abuse treatment benefits' means benefits with respect to substance abuse treatment services but only insofar as such treatment services are abstinence-based. Such term includes non-narcotic medication-based therapy and appropriate transitional medication-based therapy."
No further legislative action has occurred on this bill since introduction.
Substance Abuse Treatment Services. On July 28, 1999, Senator Wellstone (D-MN) introduced S. 1447, a bill "... to provide for nondiscriminatory coverage for substance abuse treatment services under private group and individual health coverage." Like other bills concerning parity, S. 1447 does not mandate that insurers offer substance abuse treatment benefits but would not permit those who do to impose treatment limitations or financial requirements on substance abuse treatment benefits unless similar limitation are imposed for medical and surgical benefits. The bill defines small businesses for exemption as between two and 25 employees, does not contain Congressman Ramstad's language regarding either medication-based therapy or a sunset date. No further legislative action has occurred on this bill since introduction.
Research into Practice
Drug-Free Century Act. Senator DeWine (R-OH) introduced S. 5, the Drug-Free Century Act, a bill to reduce the transportation and distribution of illegal drugs and to strengthen domestic demand reduction. One provision in this bill would require that the Director, NIAAA, with the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment -- "(1) ensure that the results of all current alcohol research that is set aside for services (and other appropriate research with practical consequences) is widely disseminated to treatment practitioners in an easily understandable format; (2) ensure that such research results are disseminated in a way that provides easily understandable steps for the implementation of best practices based on the research; and (3) make technical assistance available to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to assist alcohol and drug treatment practitioners to make permanent changes in treatment activities by using successful treatment models." No further action has occurred since the bill was introduced.
Research Funding/Evaluation
Federal Research Investment. Senator Specter (R-PA) introduced S. R. 19, a resolution to express the Sense of the Senate that the Federal investment in biomedical research should be increased by $2 billion in Fiscal Year 2000. A related measure (H. Res. 89) was introduced in the House on March 2, 1999. No major legislative actions have occurred since the bills were introduced.
Health Care Assurance Act. Senator Specter (R-PA) also introduced S. 24, the Health Care Assurance Act of 1999. Two of the provisions in this bill of interest to NIH are: (1) a New Drug Clinical Trials Program which would authorize a program at the National Institutes of Health to expand support for clinical trials on promising new drugs and disease treatments with priority given to the most costly diseases affecting the greatest number of people, and (2) a National Fund for Health Research which would authorize the establishment of a National Fund for Health Research to supplement biomedical research through the contributions of 1percent of premiums collected by health insurers. Funds will be distributed to the National Institutes of Health's member institutes and centers in the same proportion as the amount of appropriations they receive for the fiscal year. No further action has occurred since the bill was introduced.
Federal Research Investment Act. Senator Frist (R-TN) introduced S. 296, the "Federal Research Investment Act," which would provide for the "continuation of the Federal research investment." The text of the bill is not yet available but it is likely to be similar to the bill he sponsored last Congress, S. 2217, which would have established a commitment to doubling the amount of federal investment in fundamental scientific, medical, and engineering research over 12 years. It also would have commissioned the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study to develop methods for evaluating federally funded Research and Development. The bill was agreed to and ordered reported from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 5, 1999. S. 296 was passed by the Senate on July 26, 1999, and referred to the House Committee on Science on July 27, 1999. OMB opposes the bill because of authorization levels, the requirement for the NAS study, and the requirement for development of alternative performance goals. No further legislative action has occurred since House committee referral.
Treatment
Faith-Based Drug Treatment Enhancement Act. Senator Abraham (R-MI) introduced S. 289 the "Faith-Based Drug Treatment Enhancement Act," which would amend the Public Health Service Act to permit faith-based substance abuse treatment centers to receive Federal assistance, to permit individuals receiving Federal drug treatment assistance to select private and religiously oriented treatment, and to protect the rights of individuals from being required to receive religiously oriented treatment. The bill addresses educational requirement equivalencies:
"in applying education qualifications for personnel in religious organizations the State of local government shall give credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work in drug treatment ..."
and waivers of imposition of educational qualifications for an individual religious organization:
"if the Secretary determines that (I) the ... organization has a record of prior successful drug treatment for at least the preceding 3 years, (ii) the educational qualifications have effectively barred such ... organization from becoming a program provider, (iii) the organization has applied to the Secretary to waive the qualifications, and (iv) the State or local government has failed to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications in question are necessary to the successful operation of a drug treatment program."
This bill was also incorporated into S. 899, the 21st Century Justice Act introduced on April 28, 1999 by Senator Hatch. No further legislative action has occurred on either bill since introduction.
Renewal Communities/Tax Incentives. H.R. 815, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the designation of renewal communities, to provide tax incentives relating to such communities was introduced on February 24, 1999 by Congressman Watts (R-OK). H.R. 815 contains a provision which would require giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. The bill also would mandate a waiver of educational requirements if the religious organization has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. The Senate companion bill is S. 463 introduced by Senator Abraham on the same date. No major legislative action has occurred on either bill since introduction.
Community Renewal through Community- and Faith-based Organizations. On June 22, 1999, the House passed H. Res. 207 a non-binding resolution (which does not carry the force of law, and is not sent to the Senate) to convey the "sense of the House" regarding community renewal through community- and faith-based organizations. Among other things, the resolution mentions that over 100 bipartisan Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 815, the American Community Renewal Act, which would "give credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work in drug treatment...," and resolves that the House of Representatives "should work to empower community- and faith-based organizations to promote effective solutions to the social, financial, and emotional needs of urban centers and rural communities..."
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reauthorization. On May 6, 1999 Senator Frist (R-TN) introduced S. 976, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reauthorization Bill. In his introductory statement, Senator Frist said he has targeted six main goals which include: promote State flexibility in block grant funding; ensure accountability for the expenditure of Federal funds; develop and support youth and adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment initiatives; develop and support mental health initiatives designed to prevent and respond to incidents of teen violence; insure the availability of Federal funding for emergencies; and support programs targeted for the homeless to treat mental health and substance abuse. This bill also repeals a requirement in the substance abuse block grant that requires States to use 35 percent of their funds for alcohol-related activities and 35 percent for drug- related activities, would permit States to obligate their block grant funds over two years instead of one, giving them more time to plan for and use the funds; and reauthorizes the Children of Substance Abusers Act (COSA) and moves its authority to SAMHSA from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)." On July 28, 1999, in Committee, Senator Frist offered a substitute amendment that would authorize $100 million for the Secretary, HHS to make grants to public entities to assist local communities in developing ways to help children deal with violence, and would, among other things, permit religious organizations that provide substance abuse services with federal assistance to maintain their religious character and be able to hire individuals of the same faith. The bill was ordered reported by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute on July 28, 1999.
The Senate passed the SAMHSA reauthorization bill, entitled the "Youth Drug and Mental Health Services Act" on November 4, 1999; it was referred in the House to the Committee on Commerce. As passed by the Senate, the bill contains provisions related to the goals listed by Senator Frist above, including repealing the requirement concerning using 35 percent of funds for alcohol-related and for drug abuse-related activities. It also contains the controversial provision called "charitable choice" which would permit religious organizations that provide substance abuse services to be eligible for Federal assistance either through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant or discretionary grants. In addition, the bill contains a provision which creates grants for the purpose of providing alcohol and drug prevention or treatment services for Indians and Native Alaskans and establishes a Commission on Indian and Native American Health Care.
Youth Drinking Elimination Act. Congresswoman Capps (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3430, the Youth Drinking Elimination Act on November 17, 1999. This bill would authorize an additional $25 million to SAMHSA for the purpose of making grants to public and nonprofit private entities, etc., to enable such entities to develop plans for and to carry out school (including college) and community-based programs for the prevention of alcoholic beverage consumption by persons who have not attained the legal drinking age. The entities receiving grants would be required to report on the effectiveness annually, use science-based and age-appropriate approaches, and involve local public health officials and community prevention program staff in the planning and implementation of the program. No further legislative action has occurred on the bill since introduction.
Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act. On July 21, 1999 Congressman Barton (R-TX) introduced H.R. 2576, the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act, which would establish within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an independent agency to be known as the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration. CSAP, CSAT, and other SAMHSA programs relating to prevention and treatment of substance abuse would be transferred to the new agency. No major legislative action has occurred on the bill since introduction.
Native Americans
Senator Campbell (R-CO) introduced a bill on August 5, 1999 (S. 1507) which would authorize the integration and consolidation of alcohol and substance abuse programs and services provided by Indian tribal governments. In his introductory statement Senator Campbell said:
"the Federal Government offers several disparate and currently uncoordinated substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for which Native Americans are eligible. This bill addresses how to best coordinate these programs so that the resources are effectively targeted at the communities that need them"
His statement mentions funds "available through the NIH-NIAAA include(s) several different grant programs for minorities and the prevention of alcohol abuse."
The bill contains language which states that, "...Director of the NIH shall, upon the receipt of a plan acceptable to the Secretary submitted by an Indian tribe, authorize the tribe to coordinate, in accordance with such plan, its federally funded alcohol and substance abuse (programs) in a manner that integrates the program services involved into a single, coordinated, comprehensive program and reduces administrative costs by consolidating administrative functions." The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on the bill on October 13, 1999.
(The NIAAA Legislative Summary is prepared by Patricia Brown, Office of Policy, Legislation, and Public Liaison.)
Back to Top
Progress continues on final formatting and editing of the revised NIAAA home page. Several revised sections were recently demonstrated to the Institute Director, Deputy Director, and other senior staff. Several new features have been added including a section on NIAAA's intramural program, a graphics library, and section on Hispanic publications. The new Website design and format was unanimously approved. The proposed date for opening the new Website to the public will be late winter/early spring.
- A RealPlay video presentation of the 1999 Mark Keller Lecture by Dr. Henri Begleiter is available on our website. This presentation will be featured through the end of February.
"Drinking in the United States: Main Findings from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES)." U.S. Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Vol. 6, 1st Edition, November 1998. NIH Publication, No. 99-3519.
"Drinking in the United States: Main Findings from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES)." U.S. Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Vol. 6, 1st Edition, November 1998. NIH Publication, No. 99-3519.
"U.S. Apparent Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Based on State Sales, Taxation, or Receipt Data." U.S. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Vol. 1, 3rd Edition, October 1997, NIH Publication, No. 97-4263.
"State Trends in Alcohol-Related Mortality, 1979-92." U.S. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Vol. 5, 1st Edition, NIH Publication, No. 96-4174.
"County Alcohol Problem Indicators, 1986-1990." U.S. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Vol. 3, 4th Edition, July 1994. NIH Publication No. 94-3747.
- A total of 23 files (tables) in NIAAA's Quick Facts were updated, including the following categories:
Per capita alcohol consumption based on alcohol sales data (4)
Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver (6)
Alcohol-related fatal traffic crashes (8)
Alcohol-related short-stay hospital discharges (5)
(The NIAAA Website is managed by the Scientific Communications Branch, Office of Scientific Affairs) Back to Top
NIH DIRECTOR'S COUNCIL OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES (COPR) |
Former NIH Director Dr. Harold Varmus convened the second meeting of the COPR in October of 1999. The Council provides NIH with 20 more ambassadors to and from the community, groups, and individuals who may not be familiar with the agency, its mission and the fruits of its research investment. As with the initial COPR meeting last year, four Institute directors presented and several topical issues were discussed. NIAAA Director Dr. Enoch Gordis was among these four. His presentation included some basic information about the NIAAA and alcohol research, as well as details about how the public is involved in helping the Institute shape its research agenda. Geoff Laredo, the Institute's Public Liaison Officer, attended the meeting. Back to Top
SENATOR HAROLD HUGHES MEMORIAL AWARD |
NIAAA Director Dr. Enoch Gordis is pleased this year to present the Senator Harold Hughes Memorial Award to Ms. Sis Wenger, the Executive Director of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. The Hughes Award honors a non-researcher who has used alcohol research findings to foster research, prevention, or treatment-translating research into practice and building bridges among research, prevention, treatment, and policy-making communities. These criteria perfectly describe Ms. Wenger's work. For most of her career, she has been committed to making research knowledge available to alcohol counselors and human services professionals by designing training and community based programs, as well as prevention and intervention activities, through her professional and volunteer work, speaking engagements, and publications. Dr. Gordis made the formal presentation on February 8, 2000, at the annual Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
NATIONAL ALCOHOL SCREENING DAY |
The second National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) will be held April 6, 2000. Over 50,000 letters have been sent to community centers, hospitals, clinics, and colleges inviting them to participate. Materials are being reviewed and selected for the kits that will be sent to the screening sites in early March. A number of activities are being planning to promote NASD. For example, we recently learned that NASD's college component will be prominently featured in the NCAA Championship Tournament Program.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATIONS |
"National Leadership Initiative to Keep Children Alcohol Free"
The NIAAA and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have forged a very successful alliance to combat the use of alcohol by children. Additional support is being contributed by the NIH Offices of Research on Women's Health and Research on Minority Health. Through this partnership, an initiative, "Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free," has been set in motion to enlist the Governors' spouses from the 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia as State and national spokespersons on the issue of drinking in late childhood and early adolescence, primarily ages 9 through 15. Governors' spouses have traditionally taken on issues with major implications for public health and have been highly effective catalysts for action on these issues both nationally and within their States. The Leadership initiative is the first national effort to address the problem of alcohol use in this very young age group. The concept for this initiative has been received with great enthusiasm by the Governors' spouses, and progress has been made in all of the initiative's Phase I objectives, which extends through August 2000. A non-partisan Leadership Committee of 13 spouses with broad regional representation is now in place. The four co-chairs are Vicky Cayetano (Hawaii), Hope Taft (Ohio), Sharon Kitzhaber (Oregon), and Michele Ridge (Pennsylvania). Other members include Lori Siegelman (Alabama), Susan Knowles (Alaska), Columba Bush (Florida), Patricia Kempthorne (Idaho), Lura Lynn Ryan (Illinois), Michelle Engler (Michigan), Libby Pataki (New York), Martha Sundquist (Tennessee), and Sue Ann Thompson (Wisconsin)
An Executive Working Group, composed of 22 members from key national organizations with State chapters, has also been set up to serve in an advisory capacity. These organizations include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Substance Abuse, the American Medical Association's Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs, the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Columbia University's Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Join Together, Kids in a Drug-Free Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, the National Family Partnership, the National Medical Association, the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation's Prevention Research Center, Parenting is Preventing, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Vanderbilt University's School of Nursing.
The Leadership Committee of Governors' spouses is showcasing this initiative at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association on February 26. Time has been allotted on the agenda for the four Co-Chairs of the Leadership Committee to discuss the focus of the initiative and plans to maintain public awareness of this issue for the next three years. An invitational conference of spouses is scheduled for March 2000 to encourage additional State participation, increase understanding of the problem, and consider actions that can be taken at the local, State, and national levels. Each State delegation to the conference will include the participating spouse, a key staff member, and a high-level official in the State's alcohol abuse programs. Educational tools have been developed to support the outreach efforts of the spouses and others participating in this initiative. They include a statistics brochure containing data on all aspects of drinking in the 9-15 age group, a brochure and a video describing the scope of the problem for lay audiences, and a palm card summarizing the goals of the initiative. In addition, a parenting booklet is ready for distribution to help parents discuss the use of alcohol with their children. State-specific information kits have also been compiled as background for the spouses in their interactions with State and local organizations, school officials, community leaders, and the media.
Plans are now being firmed up for Phase II of the initiative. The first priority will be to increase research on alcohol use in the 9- to 15-year-old age group. To that end, a panel of scientists will be convened to identify research needs. Partnerships with additional NIH institutes and other relevant Federal agencies will be sought to co-sponsor research and to implement intervention programs. A website will be established to disseminate information about research findings, effective interventions, upcoming media events, and links to other relevant Website. Taskforces will be established to examine special minority concerns and media and policy issues. A second national conference is anticipated for the year 2002 to review progress and assess the impact of the initiative.
Additional materials will be developed to support the efforts of the Governors' spouses and others who are working to prevent underage drinking. A committee, under the leadership of Dr. Harold Holder, is already at work developing a prevention brochure. The intent of this brochure is to provide information about programs that have successfully reduced alcohol use by children. A workbook is also being considered to help children work through the issues and develop a sense of control over the pressures to drink. Public service announcements will be designed and placed on national television or radio spots to encourage kids not to drink.
Researcher In Residence Program
NIAAA and CSAT are collaborating in the creation of The Researcher in Residence Program, an effort designed to encourage the adoption in clinical practice of recent research advances in the treatment of alcoholism. NIAAA and CSAT hope to accomplish this goal by placing nationally recognized scientists in brief periods of residence at participating clinical treatment sites. The exchange of ideas that will ensue between participating researchers, clinical supervisors, and clinical staff will be accomplished through a combination of didactic training sessions, seminars reviewing research findings, presentations of recently developed techniques, case reviews and clinical problem solving. The program is to be piloted at six sites in the State of New York. Participating sites will identify areas of interest or need for clinical improvement. NIAAA staff will find and recruit researchers who have the necessary expertise in those areas. Researchers and treatment directors will be asked for their assessments of the program, including suggestions on how it might be improved for future iterations. If the program shows promise, it may be repeated in other states that have expressed an interest in the concept.
COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON COLLEGE-AGE DRINKING-UPDATE |
In an effort to address the complex issue of alcohol abuse among college students in a comprehensive, scientific manner, NIAAA's National Advisory Council created a Subcommittee on College Drinking in February, 1998. Comprised of college presidents and alcohol researchers, the subcommittee provides expertise and guidance to NIAAA based upon this unique dialogue among the administrators and scientists. Subcommittee activities are coordinated by Stephen Long, Fred Donodeo, Vivian Faden, and Gayle Boyd.
The long-term goal of the subcommittee is to advise NIAAA on research gaps that need to be explored in order to improve campus prevention and treatment programs. A short-term goal is to provide college presidents and researchers with reliable information on the overall quality and effectiveness of current interventions.
To address this complex issue most effectively, the subcommittee created two distinct panels which focus on specific aspects of college drinking. Each panel, consisting of subcommittee members and selected outside experts, has commissioned a series of papers on specific topics (see below) which will be integrated into final panel reports, to be completed in approximately 6 months. The panel reports will then be used to create a final subcommittee report which will be presented to the advisory council at the February 2001 meeting and, ultimately, to Dr. Gordis.
Panel 1: Context and Consequences, is descriptive in nature and provides an in-depth view of the context and characteristics of college drinking. Recognizing the need to translate research data more effectively for university staff, the goal of the subcommittee is to help increase college administrators' comprehension of current information. Papers commissioned for Panel 1 include:
"Measuring College Alcohol Use and Abuse: The Method Shapes the Message" |
Henry Wechsler
George Dowdall |
"Epidemiology of Alcohol and among College Students" |
Patrick O'Malley |
"Student Factors" |
John Baer |
"Alcohol and Today's Changing First Year Students" |
Lee Upcraft |
"So What is An Administrator to Do? |
Susan Murphy |
"College Factors Influencing Drinking" |
Phil Meilman
Cheryl Presley |
"Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior Among College Students" |
Lynne Cooper |
"A Developmental Perspective on Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Adolescence and the Transition to Young Adulthood" |
John Schulenberg
Jennifer Maggs |
"Surveying the Damage: A Review of Research on Consequences of Alcohol Misuse in College Populations" |
Wesley Perkins |
"Alcohol and Aggression" |
Mark Wood |
"Alcohol and Sexual Assault" |
Antonia Abbey |
"The Adolescent Brain and the College Drinker: Biological Basis of Propensity to Use and Misuse Alcohol" |
Linda Spear |
"The First-Year Experience" |
John Gardner |
Panel 2: Prevention and Treatment, is evaluative in nature and focuses on the effectiveness of prevention and treatment interventions currently being used, the degree to which they are researched and evaluated, and the outcomes being achieved. Papers commissioned for Panel 2 include:
"Individually Oriented Interventions" |
Mary Larimer |
"Campus Norm Setting" |
Wesley Perkins |
" Environmental Policy" |
Alexander Wagenaar
Traci Toomey |
" Effects of Uniform Age 21 Laws" |
Alexander Wagenaar
Traci Toomey |
" Comprehensive Interventions" |
Ralph Hingson |
" Advertising and Promotion" |
Henry Saffer |
" Methodology" |
Robert Saltz |
" Description of Ongoing Policies and Practices" |
William DeJong |
"Politics of Change and Leadership: Questions and Answers with College Presidents" |
Joy Mara |
"Counter-Advertising and the Use of Media for Health Promotion" |
William DeJong |
Using these commissioned papers as a base, science writers assigned to each panel will prepare individual panel reports. Through the use of a separate science writer, these panel reports will then be combined into an overall subcommittee report which will include recommendations for further research. The final report is scheduled for completion by the end of 2000.
The Subcommittee on College Drinking is comprised of 10 college Presidents and 12 alcohol researchers, and is working cooperatively with a variety of federal agencies, alcohol industry representatives, parent groups, and students. The commissioned papers are being prepared by noted specialists in the field. The Subcommittee is co-chaired by Rev. Edward A. Malloy, President of the University of Notre Dame and Dr. Mark Goldman, Distinguished Research Professor, University of South Florida. Presidents: Rev. Malloy, Judith Ramaley, U. of Vermont, John T. Casteen III, U. of Virginia, Robert Carothers, U. of Rhode Island, Susan Pierce, U. of Puget Sound, William Jenkins, Louisiana State U., William Kirwan, Ohio State U., James Lyons, Cal. State - Dominguez Hills, Edward Foote, II, U. of Miami, and Tomas Arciniega, Cal. State-Bakersfield. Researchers: Mark Goldman, Sharon Wilsnack, U. of North Dakota, Harold Holder, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Ken Sher, U. of Missouri, Robert Zucker, U. of Michigan, Henry Wechsler, Harvard U., Alan Marlatt, U. of Washington, Don Kenkel, Cornell U., Michael Fleming, U. of Wisconsin-Madison, Marcus Rothschild, VA Medical Center, Marilyn Aguirre-Molina, Columbia U.Additional Panel Members: Ellen Gold, American College Health Association, Patrick Johnson, CASA, Robert Saltz, Pacific Institute, David Anderson, George Mason U., Bill DeJong, Higher Education Center.
DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS
(U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES) |
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the Year 2000 are in development. The 1995 Guideline for alcohol was, "If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation." The Department of Agriculture has the lead on the Dietary Guidelines for the Year 2000; this lead alternates between the two Departments each five-year period. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will advise the Secretaries of each Department as to whether a revision of the 1995 guidelines is warranted and, if so, will recommend revisions. Advisory Committee member Meir Stampfer, M.D., Dr.P.H. (Professor & Chair, Department of Nutrition Sciences, Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham) has the lead in developing the alcohol guideline. Members met in September, participated in brief scientific reviews and discussion related to the guidelines, and created subcommittees. The Advisory Committee met again in March 1999 at which time Dr. Gordis presented current alcohol research findings to the committee members; his presentation is available on-line through the Internet at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114230540/http://www.ars.usda.gov/dgac under March 8, pages 298-308 (WP). NIAAA sent a letter (dated May 19, 1999) with recommendations regarding the alcohol guideline to the Chairman of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee met again on June 16- 18,1999 (transcript available on-line at address above); although we did not see the working draft of the alcohol guideline, the transcript suggests that some, though not all, of NIAAA's recommendations were taken by the alcohol subcommittee. As of January 20, the report was still being finalized. The final Guidelines are due to be released at the National Nutrition Summit, May 30-31, 2000. Back to Top
Since the September Council meeting, NIAAA Director Enoch Gordis, M.D. accomplished the following activities:
- Participated, along with senior NIH officials, in a meeting with representatives of a newly established alliance between Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The formal alliance was created to "enhance the educational, scientific, and clinical programs in and between both institutions." The meeting was held September 15 on the NIH Campus. Both Medical institutions are located in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Gave an invited talk to the National Advisory Council of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) on September 15 in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gordis spoke with the National Advisory Council about alcohol as a substance of abuse.
- Delivered a keynote address at a scientific meeting in Mannheim, Germany celebrating the inauguration of the first addiction chair in Germany and the appointment of Dr. Karl Mann as its Chair. In his keynote address, Dr. Gordis spoke on "The Promise of Research for Prevention and Treatment." Dr. Gordis also participated in a meeting held in conjunction with this event to discuss U.S.- German Collaboration in Alcohol Studies. The theme of this meeting was "Setting a Research Agenda." Participants included senior researchers from the United States and for Germany. The three-day inauguration and collaboration meeting was held September 29-October 1.
- Attended the 1999 NIH Research Festival held October 5-8 on the NIH Campus. Included in the Research Festival were poster sessions, mini-symposia on various science topics, and meetings with postdoctoral fellows.
- Attended the 1999 Annual meeting of the Institute of Medicine. The meeting was held October 11-12 in Washington, D.C. Among the topics presented on and discussed were memory, including how memory functions; social, behavioral, and clinical research; the IoM and the uninsured.
- Presented information on alcohol research progress at the Eighth Doris Siegel Memorial Colloquium held October 15 at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York. Doris Siegel was Director of Social Work Services at the Mount Sinai Hospital and Edith J. Baerwald Professor of Community Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The theme of this year's colloquium was, "Behavioral/Social Sciences and Health Care in the 21st Century: Contributions and Opportunities."
- Met with the NIH Council of Public Representatives (COPR) on October 21 on the NIH Campus. Dr. Gordis discussed how NIAAA involves the public in its activities.
- Attended the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience held October 23-28 in Miami Beach, Florida and gave opening remarks at a Satellite Symposium sponsored by NIAAA entitled, "The Cerebellum and Alcohol: Roles in Cognitive and Motor Functions. The Symposium was organized by Dr. Ellen Witt of NIAAA and Dr. Yuan Liu, now with the NINDS.
- Participated in a December 1planning meeting for the joint NIAAA-CSAT Researcher in Residence Program.
- Presented on NIAAA Research Activities at the 10th Annual National Leadership Forum of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). The meeting was held December 104 in Washington, D.C. At 4,000 members, CADCA is one of the largest organizations representing alcohol and other drug abuse issues.
- Attended the 38th Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology, December 12-16 in Acapulco, Mexico.
- Presented information on alcohol policy research to The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research Funding at their breakfast meeting held January 19 in the Rayburn House Office building.
- Presented on alcohol research and its implications for health policy to the Health Chairs of state legislative committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures at their Winter meeting, December 4 in Washington, D.C.
- Attended the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Reception and Awards Dinner, October 29 in Washington, D.C.
- Delivered a keynote address at the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) State-of-the-Art Conference on Neuroscience, Clinical Practice And Services Research, held November 4-6 in Washington, D.C. The topic of Dr. Gordis' talk was, "A Report from NIAAA: Research to Practice Program.
- Participated with members of the Governors' Spouses Initiative Leadership Committee and Mrs. Millie Webb, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in national briefings on underage drinking for the Editors of teen-oriented publications and for Editors of Women's/parenting oriented- magazines. The Governors' Leadership Committee was represented by Mrs. Susan Knowles, First Lady, Alaska; Mrs. Columba Bush, First Lady, Florida; Mrs. Hope Taft, First Lady, Ohio; and Mrs. Martha Sundquist, First Lady, Tennessee. Mr. Rick Delano represented Scholastic Inc. which hosted the teen oriented meeting at its Broadway offices; Dr, Vivian Pinn, Director, Office of Research on Women's Health/, NIH, participated in the second set of meetings with the Editors of women's and parents' magazines.
Welcoming/Opening Remarks
- Annual meeting and scientific conference of the Directors, NIAAA-funded Alcohol Research Centers. The meeting was held December 8-9 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- NIAAA-sponsored workshop entitled, "Social Identification Theory: Implications for Alcohol Research," November 15 in Bethesda, Maryland.
- NIAAA-sponsored Expert Meeting on Developing an Alcohol Policy Information System, November 30 in Bethesda, Maryland.
- Governors' Spouses Initiative on Underage Drinking Executive Working Group Meeting, October 29 in Washington, D.C.
- North Carolina Research to Practice Forum, November 3, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
- NIAAA Treatment Portfolio Review, November 8-9 in Bethesda, Maryland.
Interviews
- With WAMU, the National Public Radio affiliate at The American University to discuss alcohol research progress.
Since the September Council meeting, NIAAA Deputy Director Mary C. Dufour, M.D., M.P.H. accomplished the following activities:
- On September 23, Dr. Dufour gave welcoming remarks at the first meeting of the Executive Working Group of the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free. This meeting was held in Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Dufour attended Hazelden's 50th Anniversary Celebration held in Center City, Minnesota, October 14-16. She participated in the Workshop entitled "The Science for Change: The Science of Addiction and Recovery." Dr. Dufour's presentation was entitled "Research in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism."
- Dr. Dufour was an invited speaker at the University of Michigan's Alcohol Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 21-22. The Conference was entitled "Putting Special Populations on the Alcohol Research Agenda: A Tribute to Edith S. Gomberg's Work." Dr. Dufour's presentation was entitled "Alcohol and the Older Individual: Weighing the Risks and Benefits." Dr. Dufour also chaired the afternoon session of the conference held on October 22.
- On October 29, Dr. Dufour gave introductory remarks at the Second Governor's Spouses and Executive Working Group Meeting of the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free held in Washington, D.C.
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana was the location for the State of Louisiana's 1999 Fall Conference on Prevention and Treatment. Dr. Dufour was an invited speaker at the conference and the title of her presentation was "National Alcohol Research Updates: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism." The conference was held November 1-4.
- Dr. Dufour attended the Joint Panel Meeting on NIAAA's Subcommittee on College Drinking which was held in Bethesda, Maryland, November 11-12.
- Dr. Dufour chaired the afternoon session of the Social Identification for Alcohol Research Meeting held in Bethesda, Maryland, November 15.
- Dr. Dufour participated in a round table discussion at the NIAAA-sponsored workshop entitled " Developing An Alcohol Policy Information System." The meeting was held in Bethesda, Maryland, November 30.
- Dr. Dufour gave the opening remarks and chaired a morning session at the 3rd Planning Mee ting of the Executive Working Group for the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, Governor's Spouse's Initiative. The meeting was held January 12 in Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Dufour continues to serve as the NIAAA's representative to the NIH Hispanic Task Force and also to the Coordinating Committee on Research for Women's Health, NIH.
Media Interviews
- Jennifer Warner from CBS Health Watch interviewed Dr. Dufour on her paper "Alcohol and the Elderly," in January.
- Dr. Dufour also gave several interviews regarding the press release of Dr. Bridget Grant's paper on "Estimates of U.S. Children Exposed to Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in the Family."
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OFFICE OF COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES |
The mission of the Office of Collaborative Research Activities (OCRA) is to: (a) foster collaboration activities with other NIH Institutes, governmental agencies, and other organizations interested in alcohol research; (b) provide momentum and guidance to projects in collaboration with appropriate program administrators or subject matter experts in other NIAAA offices or divisions; (c) coordinate and administer collaborative international research programs and scientific exchanges; and (d) develop and coordinate science education projects and initiatives.
Domestic Collaborative Research Activities |
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Update
Currently, the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on FAS consists of representatives from ten government organizations, agencies, and Institutes. Three Cabinet departments are represented: Health and Human Services, Education, and Justice. The meetings are attended by representatives of advocacy groups and state health departments. Drs. Mary Dufour and Faye Calhoun chair the committee.
During the summer the Department of Education took the lead in forming a working group of the Committee to address issues related to the special needs of children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and alcohol-related neural deficits (ARND) (ages 0-8) and their families. Representatives from FAS organizations at the state level and several ICCFAS agencies (including NIAAA) were represented.
In addition to presentations of Institute and agency portfolios related to FAS, the ICCFAS has sponsored four workshops. A fifth workshop entitled, "Early Childhood Neurobehavioral Assessment for the Differential Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Alcohol-Related Neurological Disorder" will be held on March 8-10, 2000 at the Bethesda Marriott.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinicians Guide Project- an Update
Two of the three guides intended for health care providers in prenatal care and pediatric settings have been printed and are available for distribution. The third, a Woman's Guide, is in final preparation for printing. The Guides are:
- Identification of At-Risk Drinking and Intervention with Women of Childbearing Age: A Guide for Primary-Care Providers (NIH Publication No. 99-4369)
- Identification and Care of Fetal Alcohol-Exposed Children: A Guide for Primary-Care Providers (NIH Publication No. 99-4368)
- Personal Steps to a Healthy Choice: A Woman' Guide (companion volume)
This project is being funded collaboratively with the NIH Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH). The guides were edited by Dorothea de Zafra, MPIA. As mentioned in earlier reports, the guides are intended to increase awareness of at-risk drinking and fetal alcohol exposure among primary-care clinicians, and to provide brief screening and intervention protocols. OCRA is planning to develop a curriculum to train clinicians in the use of each guide and to determine the effectiveness of using the guides in actual clinical practice.
Copies of the first two publications may be obtained by writing to:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Publication Distribution Center P.O. Box 10686 Rockville, MD 20849-0686
or by faxing your request to: (202) 842-0418. Please give the NIH Publication Number when ordering.
NIH Birth Defects and Teratology Interest Group
The NIAAA convenes this Trans-NIH Interest Group to further the exchange of information and to foster collaboration in this research area. Nine Institutes are represented among the membership. A mini-symposium on cranio-facial and skeletal biology was sponsored by this group as part of the annual NIH Research Festival in October. Five speakers, representing three NIH Institutes (NCI, NIAMS, and NGHRI), a grantee institution (the University of Connecticut Health Center) and another Federal agency (the Environmental Protection Agency) addressed various aspects of this topic on October 6. A major agenda item for 2000 is the completion of the Website for the NIH Birth Defects and Teratology, with associated members, and topics of past and future meetings. Dr. Megan Adamson convenes the group and Dr. Kenneth Warren continues to co-chair with the Director of the National Institute on Deafness and Communicative Disorders.
Washington, DC Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Phase I
This study was created through a cooperative agreement of NIAAA with NICHD, Howard University Hospital, Providence Hospital, DC General Hospital, and Research Triangle Institute. Funds from the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health supplemented NIAAA support. The findings of Phase I of this project provide data from comprehensive prospectively gained information on prenatal drinking in an inner city African American community. Further, the ultimate aim is to provide information that would be useful in structuring prevention and intervention efforts.
The general purpose of the study was to address the lack of data on the amount of alcohol consumed by women during pregnancy within the District of Columbia. An objective was to assess the effectiveness of using the Audio-Computer-Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) method in conducting the survey. A second objective was to develop a screening questionnaire on alcohol consumption by pregnant women that would be sensitive and effective in the detection of any amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. It was important that the instrument could be easily administered to and acceptable to the patient population
A total of 507 women, mostly African American, from 9 clinic sites within the District of Columbia vicinity completed the interview. An overwhelming majority of the 507 women (over 80 percent) enjoyed taking the screen and (96 percent) found it not difficult to take. While the majority said they stopped drinking during pregnancy, over 30 percent either decreased drinking, stayed the same, or increased their drinking. Drinking behavior was evaluated for quantity and frequency and assigned a risk status: low, moderate, and high. Data are being analyzed for publication and presentation. Further studies will determine how alcohol questions might be easily incorporated into the busy prenatal care settings in Washington, D.C.
Alcohol and Nutrition: The Energy Value of Alcohol in the Diets of Alcoholics
This collaborative research study made use of the unique room-sized calorimetric facilities at the Diet and Human Performance Laboratory of the Human Nutrition Research Center (Agriculture Research Service, USDA) in Beltsville, MD to assess the nutritional interaction between alcohol and the energy derived from food. In addition, the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine had the primary responsibility for subject recruitment and clinical care during the study. The data collection phase of the study is now complete and most of the data analysis has been completed. A manuscript describing the results is in preparation for submission to a peer reviewed journal and an abstract of the results will be submitted for the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism in Denver. This work has been conducted under an interagency agreement between the NIAAA and the Agriculture Research Service of the USDA, and is coordinated by Dr. Tom Gentry.
Report on the In vivo Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol Workshop
A report on the workshop on the In vivo Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol is scheduled for publication in the March issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. The report includes an overview of the meeting as well as individual contributions from each of the fifteen speakers. The meeting, believed to be the first specifically on the topic of alcohol pharmacokinetics, provided a variety of perspectives on the absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol, and the methodologies used to assess in vivo alcohol pharmacokinetics. Topics include: a) A historical overview of alcohol pharmacokinetic research, b) Alcohol absorption, bioavailability and first-pass metabolism, c) The effect of food and beverage alcohol concentration on alcohol absorption and elimination, d) Distribution dynamics and the significance of various sites of sampling, e) Pharmacokinetic issues in experimental design and forensics, f) Gender and ethnic differences in alcohol pharmacokinetics, and g) Innovative new techniques, including the use of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. This report was edited by Dr. Tom Gentry.
Collaborative Curriculum Development Project with the NIH Office of Science Education for Middle Schools
A two-year project to develop and test a curriculum supplement for middle schools (grades 6-8), tentatively titled Understanding Alcohol: Separating Fact from Fictionwas launched February 1. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the NIH Office of Science Education (OSE) and under the guidance of Dorothea deZafra, NIAAA's Science Education Program Coordinator, who will serve as project officer. An advisory Committee consisting of extramural research scientists and intramural and extramural program staff will monitor the progress of the project. The tested curriculum kit which will result at the end of two years, to include both print-based and Internet-based materials and activities, will be distributed to schools nationwide. The purpose of the curriculum supplement is to enable young students to frame and investigate important scientific questions about alcohol, and to be able to use those skills and findings to make informed personal choices about their future alcohol use.
Studying Spirituality and Alcohol- An Update
The NIAAA in collaboration with the Fetzer Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan co-sponsored a conference on "Studying Spirituality and Alcohol" on February 1 and 2, l999. The conference summary, released to participants in July, included suggestions for future research. An RFA, AA-00-002, co-sponsored with the Fetzer Institute, requesting projects on alcohol and spirituality has been released on February, 7, 2000. The RFA is intended to support research to better understand the role of religiousness and spirituality in the prevention and treatment of and recovery from alcoholism and alcohol-related diseases. The RFA is located on the NIAAA homepage under "Research Programs."
Collaborative Minority Institution Alcohol Research Development Activities: An Update
NIAAA has been highly successful in developing projects for co-funding and collaboration with the NIH Office of Research on Minority Health. In December and January progress reviews were held at each of the three Collaborative Minority Alcohol Research Development Programs (Howard University School of Medicine, Charles Drew Medical School and North Carolina Central University). As detailed in previous reports to Council, several successful collaborations with expert alcohol research scientists have developed at each institution. There is a new initiative to build collaborations between alcohol treatment research scientists and alcohol treatment professionals in minority serving institutions. A workshop to provide an opportunity for orientation and an exchange of information between treatment professional and researchers will be held the first week in May, 2000. Co-funding for additional grants to study alcohol issues in specific minority populations was obtained from the NIH Office of Research on Minority Health.
Feasibility Study to Evaluate Minority Institution Research Development Programs Awarded as Cooperative Agreements
The NIH Office of Science Policy's Division of Evaluation, the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), and NIAAA are collaboratively funding a one-year feasibility study to evaluate minority institution alcohol research development programs awarded as cooperative agreements. NINDS and NIAAA are among a few NIH Institutes which are using the cooperative agreement mechanism, involving comprehensive programmatic involvement and support by the respective Institute as well as collaboration with established investigators, to build research capacity at institutions with a history of serving target populations. Dorothea de Zafra, Senior Program Analyst in OCRA, is the Task Leader on this contract, which was awarded on September 24 to Quantum Research Corporation of Bethesda, MD. The purpose of the feasibility study is to determine and each of the very different participating institutions under the NIAAA and NINDS programs might be evaluated. The project advisory group for the evaluation effort includes representatives from several other NIH Institutes.
Collaborative International Research and Training Program |
The International Research and Training program is responsible for coordinating the Institute's international research activities and fostering research collaborations between U.S. and foreign scientists in all areas of alcohol research. In addition, the Program serves as the focal point for Institute activities with international organizations and participation in on bi-national commissions. NIAAA remains an integral part of the health working groups of the Gore-Mbeki Bi-National Commission for South Africa and the Bi-National Commission for Russia.
Country-to-Country Activities
Germany
On September 29 to October 1, 1999 NIAAA and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research Division of Health Research co-sponsored a research development workshop that brought together U.S. and German researchers in a number of areas to develop ideas for international collaborations in alcohol research. Topics under discussion included Epidemiology, Genetics, Medications Development, Treatment Research, and Health Services Research. Dr. Enoch Gordis, Dr. Richard Fuller, and Ms. Peggy Murray represented NIAAA at the meeting. U.S. researchers included Raymond Anton, Medical University of South Carolina; Thomas Babor, University of Connecticut Health Center, Carlo Di Clemente, University of Maryland; Raul Caetano, University of Texas, Harold Holder, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation; Marc Schuckit, University of California, San Diego.
The above workshop was held in conjunction with an international conference to inaugurate the 1st Chair in Addiction Research in Germany, Professor Karl Mann. The conference was entitled, The Future of Addiction Research and Treatment and included a keynote address by Dr. Gordis.
Hungary
Ms. Peggy Murray met with officials of the Hungarian Ministry of Health, Dr. Nora Sinegar, President of the Hungarian Society on Alcoholism, and Dr. Gabor Kleman of the University of Pecs in Budapest on December 9-10 of this year. Planning has begun for a course for primary care faculty from the five Hungarian medical academies to take place in early December 2000.
Italy
Peggy Murray spoke on NIAAA's program International Medical Education and Research Training at the Trieste Meeting on Alcoholism, October 11 and 12. While in Italy, she met with officials of the U.S. Embassy science office and officials of the Italian government to develop areas for cooperation for the new U.S./Italy Science and Technology Agreement which is scheduled to be signed by President Clinton and Italian Prime minister in April, 2000.
Russia
Work continues under the Gore-Putin Commission in three major areas:
- Primary Care. December 5-8 a course was held for faculty from 18 Departments of Family Medicine for medical schools throughout Russia. Professor Igor Denisov of the First Moscow Medical Academy worked together with NIAAA and the University of Wisconsin Center for Addiction Research and Education to conduct the course. U.S. faculty included Drs. Michael Fleming and Patricia Kokotailo from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Richard Blondell from the University of Louisville, Dr. Robert Gwyther from the University of North Carolina, Dr. Gordon Smith of Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Dr. David Lanier of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. A team of FAS researchers from the U.S., including Dr. Edward Riley, San Diego State University, Drs. Kenneth Jones and Christina Chambers from the University of California, San Diego, and Dr. Luther Robinson, University of Buffalo worked together with researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry in Moscow to validate findings from a Russian study of the prevalence of FAS and ARND in Moscow. Team members who were in Russia November 29-December 3, also conducted a workshop for obstetricians and pediatricians on diagnosis and prevention of alcohol related birth defects.
- School-based Prevention. As reported in previous council reports, there has been a very successful collaboration between the University of Minnesota and two investigators from Moscow who are implementing a Russian version of Project Northland in Moscow 5th and 6th grades. The first grant has been completed and the investigators have submitted an application for additional years to expand the intervention to additional schools under the program announcement, "Developmental Grants for Collaborative International Projects." This application has been reviewed and notification of funding is pending.
South Africa
Progress is continuing on several projects related to the incidence of FAS, the neurobehavioral assessment of FAS and ARND children and the metabolic and genetic risk factors involved. The Institute is co-sponsoring the Ninth International Conference on Treatment of Addictive Behaviors to be held September 21-25, 2000 in Cape Town, South Africa. Alcohol treatment professionals from many countries in Africa will attend. Practitioner workshops will teach clinical intervention and research methods based on recent research findings. Prominent researchers will provide an overview of current research knowledge and its implications for clinical practice. Back to Top
OFFICE OF POLICY, LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC LIAISON |
The Office of Policy, Legislation, and Public Liaison (OPLPL) monitors alcohol-related policy developments and proposals; is responsible for liaison and outreach activities in support of NIAAA's policy and research agendas; conducts and supports studies of alcohol-related policy issues; and develops recommendations for action by the Secretary and Congress based on research findings. Policy studies are carried out both directly and by contract.
Following a one-day symposium entitled "Adolescence and Alcohol, Implications For College Drinking," held in collaboration with the American Psychological Society (APS) and the Academy of Clinical Psychology, NIAAA has received numerous requests for summaries and transcripts. In response to this demand, Fred Donodeo prepared an article summarizing the presentations and discussions of the conference, which was sent to a variety of NIAAA constituency groups. The American College Health Association has agreed to run the piece as a cover story in it's February 2000 newsletter.
Intergovernmental Activities |
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONCDCP)
OPLPL, through Geoff Laredo, continues in its role as Institute liaison with policy staff at NIH, DHHS, other Executive Branch agencies, and ONDCP in matters related to the National Drug Control Strategy. This is accomplished through both formal and informal mechanisms, including Geoff's seat on ONDCP's Staff Agency Representatives Committee, which provides input and support to the Interagency Demand Reduction Workgroup. Senior NIAAA staff provide significant input to NIH and DHHS as to the contents of the Strategy (pertaining to our specific involvement around underage drinking). Strategy documents have been reviewed and commented upon, and policy positions have been clarified and negotiated when necessary. This function includes the facilitation of NIAAA's "drug budget" (that portion of the budget pertaining to underage use of alcohol, which is included in the National Drug Control Budget) submission.The President's 2000 National Drug Control Strategy has just been published, and copies will be made available to all interested Council members.
Congressional Meeting
At the request of the staff of the House Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, Geoff Laredo, Acting Director of NIAAA's Office of Policy, Legislation and Public Liaison gave subcommittee staff an overview briefing of NIAAA programs and activities. The meeting was held on January 12, 2000.
In his briefing, Mr. Laredo reviewed NIAAA's size/budget relative to the problem of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, mentioning that (1) the economic costs of alcohol abuse are $185 billion per year in 1998 dollars, (2) this is a public health pandemic far greater than the important public health issue of illegal drug abuse, yet it gets far less funding and attention, (3) alcohol is the number one drug of abuse among youth, and (4) every year, deaths related to alcohol abuse are many times more than deaths associated with illegal drug abuse. Mr. Laredo emphasized that NIAAA's first and only priority is research. The following issues were touched upon: Genetic research, Dissemination/ Prevention, ONDCP Media Campaign, Surgeon General's Underage Drinking Initiative, Governors' Spouses Initiative on Underage Drinking, Kettering Issue Forums, Alcohol Screening Day, treatment manual, and research on early-onset/adolescents.
Council Liaison Representative Organizations
OPLPL, primarily through Geoff Laredo, is responsible for liaison activities as they relate to Council meetings (and associated "liaison group meetings"). Currently, over 260 outside groups comprise our contact list, and we share information on a regular basis. Liaison representatives meet informally with NIAAA Director Dr. Enoch Gordis and senior staff following the adjournment of Council meetings. Each liaison meeting draws approximately 35 organizational participants. Dozens of groups have been able to join us at these meetings since we expanded NIAAA's outreach effort. In addition, we are in constant communication with a large number of these groups on a variety of issues, as they arise.
Collaborations with Outside Organizations
In addition to the broad range of informal collaborative activities and contacts between the Institute and its constituent organizations, NIAAA does implement an annual plan of specific, formal collaborations with outside groups. Geoff Laredo continues his efforts in this area; activities since the last Council meeting included:
- American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry: NIAAA continued its partnership with the AAAP in 1999 by cosponsoring the organization's annual conference through workshop support.
- Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America: NIAAA sponsored two workshops and preconference workshops on topics of interest and importance to the CADCA members at its annual Leadership Forum in December. Dr. Gordis was also a keynote speaker at this annual event.
- North Carolina Research to Practice Forum: The Research to Practice Forum was held for clinical supervisors in North Carolina in November, in Research Triangle Park. This Forum represented an outstanding collaboration between NIAAA, CSAT, the state of North Carolina, the various medical schools across the state, and the treatment providers from across the state. Attendance was heavy, presentations from researchers and their provider colleagues were focused and practical, and the discussion surrounding each topic was substantial. Feedback from forum attendees was extremely positive. Planning for phase II of the effort is under way (see below).
- In 2000, events to look forward to include:
- Addiction Providers of New York State: Continuing the Institute's effort to move research into practice, NIAAA is sponsoring a full day research symposium at the 2000 meeting of the APNY. Scheduled for April 6, this symposium is being planned and conducted in close collaboration with the national office of the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers, through its research to practice committee, as well as the Northeast Regional ATTC (NY).
- American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry: NIAAA will continue its partnership with the AAAP in 2000 by cosponsoring the organization's annual conference through workshop support. Further collaboration will revolve around a special edition of the American Journal of Addictions, in association with work being conducted as part of the annual convention of the American Psychiatric Association (see below).
- American Psychiatric Association: NIAAA is working with APA to collaborate on a special alcohol series as part of APA's annual convention in the year 2000. This series will be comprised of symposia, workshops, and special lectures. The special series is shaping up extremely well, and will also include the production of a special issue of the American Journal on Addictions.
- American Psychological Association: NIAAA continues to support efforts to include alcohol research issues on the agenda of the annual APA convention. This year, the Institute is working with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to cosponsor several working sessions on aspects of treating alcohol and drug addiction.
- American Psychological Society: As in past years, NIAAA will cosponsor with the APS a preconference research symposium. This year's event will focus upon co-occurring alcohol and mental illness issues, and will be chaired by Dr. Ken Sher.
- Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America: NIAAA will again sponsor workshops and preconference workshops on topics of interest and importance to the CADCA members at its annual Leadership Forum.
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving: NIAAA and MADD staff have continued to build a strong relationship, to further inject the science of alcohol research into the work of the organization. NIAAA will again sponsor a research symposium at MADD's annual convention (Washington, D.C.), to help members understand the science behind their concerns. NIAAA is also a cosponsor of the upcoming Youth Summit 2000 (October 2000; Washington, D.C.). Further, OPLPL, through Geoff Laredo, was heavily involved in the January 24, 2000 Editors' Roundtables organized by MADD (see OSA/SCB writeup).
- National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors: NIAAA will continue to work with NAADAC to bring science to bear on the practice of alcohol abuse and alcoholism counseling. In 2000, the Institute is cosponsoring the group's annual meeting, and supporting a preconference research symposium on using medications in treating patients with alcoholism. This symposium is being planned and conducted in close collaboration with NAADAC and the national office of the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers, through its research to practice committee.
- The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University: CASA has organized a conference, "Substance Abuse in the 21st Century," scheduled for February 29 through March 3. NIAAA is a cosponsor of the event, and Dr. Gordis will speak as part of a panel exploring "Substance Abuse: Is it all in the Brain?" Experts from around the United States will discuss and evaluate the responsibility of key segments of our society regarding alcohol and other drug issues. Each panel throughout the conference will assess how well our nation is poised to address alcohol and other drug issues and make recommendations for achieving various goals.
- New York Collaboration, Phase II: NIAAA continues its work with New York State, the provider's association, and CSAT on moving ahead on phase II of this project. Six programs have been selected to participate in the Best Practices/Researcher in Residence Program, and work is now underway in the next steps of the program. Meetings were held with NIAAA, CSAT, the State, and selected researchers to determine specific details, and each researcher in residence activity is currently underway in some form.
- North Carolina Collaboration, Phase II: As with the New York State project, NIAAA and CSAT are moving ahead, in conjunction with our North Carolina colleagues, to phase II of the research to practice effort. Discussions are underway to determine the exact nature of the phase II activities, and expectations are that a process similar to that underway in New York will be designed for North Carolina.
- Public Policy Meeting: This annual meeting, sponsored by several organizations in the alcohol and illegal drug field (and led by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors) just occurred in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gordis presented the second annual Senator Harold Hughes Memorial Award at this meeting. NIAAA also jointly sponsored, with NIDA, an educational workshop for counselors prior to the start of this meeting.
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OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS |
National Advisory Council Reviews |
- The NIAAA Council Subcommittee for the Review of the Extramural Epidemiology Portfolio met on May 5-6, 1999. Dr. Nancy Day, Chair, will present the resulting report at this Council meeting.
- The NIAAA Council Subcommittee for the Review of the Treatment Portfolio is chaired by Drs. Mary McCaul and Peter Monti. The Subcommittee met on November 8-9, 1999.
- The NIAAA Council Subcommittee for the Review of the Biomedical Portfolio is chaired by Dr. D. Montgomery Bissell and is scheduled to meet on May 2-3, 2000.
- The NIAAA Council Subcommittee on Research Priorities meeting, scheduled for January 21, 2000 was postponed because of a snow storm. The meeting will be rescheduled and their report made to Council at the next Council meeting. Members of the subcommittee include Drs. H. Begleiter, H. Holder, T-K Li, M. Goldman, M. McGue, C. Randall, Mr. Paul Samuels, and Ms. M Woodside. The purpose of this Subcommittee is to assess and evaluate recommendations resulting from individual portfolio reviews (see above) and to make annual recommendations to Council for subsequent advice to the Institute for consideration in its strategic planning.
- The NIAAA Council Subcommittee for Review of the NIAAA Alcohol Research Centers Program is scheduled to meet on February 9, 2000. Members are Drs. H. Begleiter, R. Deitrich, M. Goldman, R. Gonzales, H. Holder, and C. Randall.
The NIAAA Strategic Plan, 2001-2005 was completed in late December, 1999. This plan, which received input from NIAAA Liaison Group Organizations, describes NIAAA's major goals and objectives, strategies for achieving them, and performance indicators that are to be used to report on progress to the public and the Congress. The plan will be printed, as well as posted on the NIAAA Website.
For this Council cycle, the Branch staff have run 15 review meetings, for a total of 83 applications. Review committees in the Center for Scientific Review evaluated 127 applications for this Council meeting.
In addition to standard review activities for unsolicited applications, several additional activities have already started for the May Council review cycle:
PAS-99-156 "Peptide Regulation of Alcohol Intake" |
Dr. Selden |
PAS-99-155 "Hepatitis C Infection and Alcoholic Liver Disease" |
Dr. Suddendorf |
RFA-AA-99-005 "Alcohol Research Centers" |
Drs. Selden and Suddendorf |
Portfolio Review-Biomedical Research Branch, Division of Basic Research |
Dr. Suddendorf |
Scientific Communications Branch |
Alcohol Research & Health
Since the last Council meeting, two Alcohol Research & Health issues have been printed and distributed, Update on Approaches to Alcoholism Treatment and Alcohol and Craving. Work continues on upcoming issues focusing on stress, tobacco, and violence. The latter issue on violence is being developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice.
Alcohol Research & Health, NIAAA's quarterly, peer-reviewed journal, is available from the Government Printing Office at a subscription rate of $22 per year. Further information on subscribing may be obtained by contacting the Scientific Communications Branch at 301/443-3860. Tables of contents and the "In This Issue" section are available on NIAAA's World-wide Website. |
Alcohol Alert
The Alcohol Alert issue entitled, "Are Women More Vulnerable to Alcohol's Effects?" has been printed and distributed. Work continues on the next issue which focuses on imaging.
The quarterly bulletin is available free of charge. For information on obtaining copies of this and other NIAAA publications, contact the Scientific Communications Branch at 301/443-3860. Full text of all 46 Alerts are available on NIAAA's World-wide Website. |
Report to Congress on Alcohol and Health
On February 1, the Tenth Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health was delivered to NIH for review. The report, consisting of 30 manuscripts, covers eight broad areas: Epidemiology, Neuroscience/Neurobehavior, Etiology, Medical Consequences, Pregnancy, Economics and Health Services Research; Prevention; and Treatment. Topics of sections include measuring health risks and benefits of alcohol; alcohol involvement over the life span; acute and chronic neurological effects; animal and human genetics perspectives; effects on various body systems; mechanisms of damage to the fetus from prenatal alcohol dependence; and community-based prevention programs. Following the NIH review, the Report will be sent to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for review, prior to sending to Congress.
Other Publications
- The public education booklet,Alcoholism: Getting the Facts, was updated and reprinted. This is one of the publications that will be sent to the National Alcohol Screening Day sites.
- Work continues on two new publications: Research Monograph #35 Neuroscience and Behavioral Research and Research Monograph #36 Ethanol and Intracellular Signaling: From Molecules to Behavior.
- The new research-based booklet targeted to parents, Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol,premiered at the teen and women editors' Roundtable Discussions on underage drinking in New York on January 24. The 24-page booklet focuses on risks, a strong parent-child relationship, talking with teens about alcohol, prevention strategies for parents, and warning signs of a drinking problem. Plans are underway to adapt the booklet for the Hispanic community. A separate printing of the booklet with the "Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free" logo and the sponsoring organizations' logos were printed for the Governors' Spouses use in their States.
- Clearance to print a new public education pamphlet entitled, Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism," in both English and Spanish, has been approved by DHHS.
Clinical Trials Database
SCB staff have completed the remaining NIAAA-sponsored clinical trials database records and transmitted them electronically to the National Library of Medicine. Each record includes the following fields: a unique identifier, NIH grant number, brief title, official title, lead sponsor, brief summary written for the public, study status, study phase, study type, study design, medical condition, intervention type, primary name of drug, synonyms, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, eligibility gender, eligibility minimum age, and eligibility maximum age. NIAAA's clinical trials will be available as part of the large NIH clinical trials database as well as on NIAAA's Website.
Public Service Announcements on Underage Drinking
NIAAA will be developing public service announcements for television and radio on underage drinking. This activity is being co-funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Media Relations
On January 24, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and NIAAA hosted two briefings: one for editors of teen magazines and the other for editors of women's magazines. Editors from teen magazines such as Seventeen, Talking Straight, and Scholastic and from women's magazines such as McCalls, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, and Women's Day attended the half-day briefings which featured Dr. Gordis; Ms. Webb, President of MADD; teens telling their stories; and several Governors' Spouses representing the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free initiative. For the briefing for editors of women's magazines, Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director, Office of Research on Women's Health, also participated.
Public Education Campaign on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
NIAAA has selected the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) to implement a public education campaign on fetal alcohol syndrome targeting African-American women in the Washington DC area. The campaign's goal is to increase awareness among this audience about the consequences of drinking during pregnancy and will utilize a variety of communications methods. A communications plan directing the 3-year campaign was developed and approved; work is underway in developing messages for the target audience.
New Exhibit
NIAAA's new exhibit debuted at the Society for Neuroscience's Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida. The new design feature panels that can be adapted for specific topics and audiences. The new exhibit was well received. Back to Top
DIVISION OF BASIC RESEARCH |
Dr. Tina Vanderveen lead a seminar focused on NIAAA research programs and opportunities provided by various grant mechanisms for research and research training at Howard University Medical College, October 22, 1999.
Request for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements |
- RFA, OD-00-006, "Testing Interventions To Improve Adherence To Pharmacological Treatment Regimens which was recently released by the NIH Office on Behavioral and Social Sciences. The RFA resulted from meetings held during the fall of 1999 by representatives from most of the NIH Institutes and represents a joint initiative.
- The Division of Basic Research has issued an RFA entitled "Targeted Mutations to Study Ethanol-Related Behaviors" (AA-00-001). This RFA is soliciting proposals to use targeted gene disruption and overexpression techniques in mice to elucidate the roles of specific neuronal proteins in mediating the effects of ethanol on brain function and behavior.
- The Division of Basic Research is participating in an RFA, DA-00-006, entitled "Viral Hepatitis and HIV in Drug and Alcohol Users". This RFA requests applications investigating the progression of liver disease in HIV-infected individuals due to alcohol consumption.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Kresina,301-443-6537 tkresina@willco.niaaa.nih.gov
- The Division of Basic Research is participating in program announcement entitled "Collaboration for Advanced Strategies in Complications of HIV Infection" (PA-00-048). This program announcement seeks applications that focus on immunological abnormalities due to alcohol consumption that result in progression of opportunistic infections in individuals with HIV infection and that respond to anti-viral therapy.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Kresina,301-443-6537 tkresina@willco.niaaa.nih.gov
- Dr. Kresina attended the 39th International Conference on Anti-microbial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in San Francisco, CA, September 6 - October 1, 1999.
- Dr. Karp presented at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meeting on "Neurobiology of Drosophila" in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, October 6-10, 1999. Dr. Karp appealed to Drosophila neurogeneticists to apply to NIAAA for support of research using Drosophila genetics to elucidate mechanisms of alcohol-related behavior.
- Dr. Zakhari chaired a session during the meeting on "Molecular Targets in Signaling" at the Granlibakken at Lake Tahoe, CA, October 14-19, 1999.
- Dr. Kresina was an invited speaker at the Joint John Hopkins University/Brazil Conference on HIV/AIDS in Rio DeJaneiro, Brazil, October 18-23, 1999.
- Drs. Noronha and Witt attended the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Miami Beach, FL, October 23-28, 1999. In conjunction with this meeting, Dr. Witt organized a satellite symposium on "Cerebellum & Alcohol: Roles, Cognitive and Motor Funtion".
- Dr. Zakhari co-chaired the plenary session on "Antiatherogenic Effects of Alcoholic Beverages: Basic & Biochemical Issues" in Venice Italy, October 26-November 1, 1999. In conjunction with this meeting, Dr. Zakhari attended a meeting on Liver Damages in Prague, November 1-7, 1999.
- Dr. Vanderveen presented an overview of basic research in alcohol for the visit of the Hubert Humphrey Fellows to NIAAA/NIH on October 29, 1999.
- Dr. Kresina attended the Hepatitis C and Minorities Meeting at the Natcher Conference Center, November 2, 1999.
- Dr. Kresina attended a meeting on "Alternative Medicine Therapy in Liver Disease" at the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Trans NIH Meeting in Bethesda, MD, November 16, 1999.
- Dr. Vanderveen attended the North Carolina Central University PAC Meeting in Durham, NC, November 18-20, 1999.
- Dr. Kresina was a panel member for the Office of AIDS Research Meeting on Women and Minority Research in HIV/AIDS, November 23, 1999.
- Dr. Vanderveen organized and chaired the annual meeting of Alcohol Research Center Directors and NIAAA senior staff in Indianapolis, IN, December 7, 1999. Dr. Zakhari attended the meeting and scientific conference on December 8 and 9 which was organized by Drs. T.K. Li and Janice Froehlich. The conference, "Alcoholism: What can Research Offer in the 21st Century?" featured presentations and a poster session by junior investigators from the various programs supported by NIAAA training grants.
- Dr. Vanderveen participated in the Charles R. Drew University PAC Meeting in Los Angeles, CA, December 12-13, 1999. In conjunction with this meeting, Dr. Vanderveen visited Dr. Hidekazu Tsukamoto, Director of the Alcohol Research Center, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, December 14, 1999.
- Dr. Vanderveen attended and participated in the Howard University PAC Meeting in Washington, DC, January 31, 2000.
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DIVISION OF BIOMETRY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY |
The Division of Biometry and Epidemiology (DBE) Staff along with staff from the Alcohol Epidemiology Data System (AEDS) have participated in the following activities.
- Dr. Vivian Faden in the Epidemiology Branch is currently serving as the NIAAA liaison to Panel 1 - contexts and consequences of the NIAAA National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Subcommittee on College Drinking. Meetings of this panel were held October 12-13, and February 8-9 in Bethesda.
- Gregory Bloss in the Office of the Director planned and organized the Expert Meeting on Developing an Alcohol Policy Information System held on November 30. Scientists at this meeting encouraged continuing development of a data resource to support alcohol policy research and identified a range of considerations and design features to maximize the benefit to the research community of such a resource.
- Darryl Bertolucci, Chief, Epidemiology Branch played a key role in the third meeting of the intergovernmental workgroup on "Substance Abuse Data Needs for the Elderly: 2010 and 2020. This meeting was held on the NIH Campus at the Natcher Building, December 17.
- From December 30, 1999 to January 7, 2000, Drs. Gordis, Grant and Dufour participated in media interviews regarding NIAAA's Press Release on "Estimates of U.S. Children Exposed to Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in the Family," a research manuscript prepared by Dr. Bridget Grant, Chief, Biometry Branch and was published in the January 2000 (the millennium issue) issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
- AEDS and DBE staff presented the following five posters at the 127th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association which was held in Chicago, November 7-11:
- Hanna, E.Z., Dufour, M.C., Yi, H., and Whitmore, C.C. Drinking, smoking, and blood pressure: Do their relationships among youth foreshadow what we know among adults?
- Saadatmand, F., and Faden, V.B. Sociodemographic characteristics and birth outcomes associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy among American Indian women.
- Whitmore, C.C., Hanna, E.Z., Yi, H. and Dufour, M.C. Marital status and drinking behavior: A comparison of cohabitors and traditionalists within the NHANES III.
- Yi, H., Stinson, F.S., Hanna, E.Z., and Whitmore, C.C. The influence of community poverty rate on drinking behavior and alcoholism.
Surveillance Reports
AEDS and DBE staff completed the following new surveillance reports:
- Yi, H, Stinson, F.S., Williams, G.D., and Bertolucci, D. Surveillance Report #49: Trends in Alcohol-Related Fatal Traffic Crashes, United States, 1979-97. Bethesda, MD: NIH/NIAAA, Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, December 1999.
- Whitmore, C.C., Stinson, F.S., and Dufour, M.C. Surveillance Report #50: Trends in Alcohol-Related Morbidity Among Short-Stay Community Hospital Discharges, United States, 1979-97. Bethesda, MD: NIH/NIAAA, Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, December, 1999.
- Nephew, T.M., Williams, G.D., Stinson, F.S., Nguyen, K., and Dufour, M.C. Surveillance Report #51: Apparent Per Capita Alcohol Consumption: National, State, and Regional Trends, 1977-97. Bethesda, MD: NIH/NIAAA, Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, December, 1999.
- Saadatmand, F., Stinson, F.S., Grant, B.F., and Dufour, M.C. Surveillance Report #52: Liver Cirrhosis Mortality in the United States, 1970-96. Bethesda, MD: NIH/NIAAA, Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, December, 1999.
Publications
- Cushman, W., Cutler, J., Hanna, E., Bingham, S., Follman, D., Harford, T., Dubbert, P., Allender, S., Dufour, M. et al. for the PATHS Research Group (1998) The Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension Study (PATHS): Effects of an Alcohol Treatment Program on Blood Pressure. Archieves of Internal Medicine, 158:1197-1207.
- Hanna, E.Z., Grant, B.F. (1999) Parallels to early onset alcohol use in the relationship of early onset smoking with drug use and DSM-IV drug and depressive disorders: Findings from the National Longitudinal Epidemiologic Survey. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 23:513-522.
- Caces, M.F., Harford, T., Williams, G. and Hanna, E.Z. (1999) Alcohol and divorce rates in the United States. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 60:647-652.
- Hanna, E.Z., Yi, H-Y, Dufour, M.C., Whitmore, C.C. (1999) The relationship of early onset smoking to depression, alcohol and other drug use as well as other risky behaviors in early adolescence: at what age should prevention begin. Alcoholism:Clinical and Experimental Research, in review.
- Hanna, E.Z. (2000) Approach to the patient with excessive alcohol consumption. In Primary Care Medicine. Fourth Edition (Ed.) AH Goroll, L. May, A Mulley (JB Lippincott, Philadelphia), in press.
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DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND PREVENTION RESEARCH |
Presentations
- Dr. Richard Fuller gave a presentation entitled "Efficacy of Traditional Treatments" at the North Carolina Research to Practice Forum jointly sponsored by NIAAA, CSAT, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and the North Carolina Governor's Institute on Alcohol and Substance Abuse on November 4, 1999, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Dr. Richard Fuller and Dr. Ulrich John jointly gave a presentation entitled "Joining Forces: Bi-national Alcohol Research" at a conference entitled "The Future of Addiction Research and Treatment," on October 2, 1999, in Mannheim Germany.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Putting Research to Work in Developing Alcohol Treatment Programs" at the 3rd Alpe-Adria Conference on Alcoholism, on October 8-9, 1999, in Opatija, Croatia.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Research Bases of Alcoholism Treatment Policies" at the European Society of Biomedical Research on Alcoholism and Association of European Psychiatry Joint Symposium on Alcohol Treatment Research and Public Policies, on October 10-12, 1999, in Trieste, Italy.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Advances and Implications of Alcoholism Treatment Research" at the 16th Congress of the National Italian Society for Alcohol Problems, on October 13-15, 1999, in Grado, Italy.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Alcoholism Treatment Outcome" presented at the National Leadership Forum, on October 22, 1999, in Washington, DC.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Use of Biomarkers to Monitor Relapse to Drinking in Alcoholic Patients" presented at the 1999 National Conference of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, on November 5, 1999, in Alexandria, VA.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Behavioral Therapies for Alcoholism" presented at the 1999 State of the Art Conference of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, on November 5, 1999, in Washington, D.C.
- Dr. John Allen presented a paper entitled "Assessment Aids in Treating Alcoholic Patients" at he North Carolina Research to Practice Forum, on November 4, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Publications
- Fuller, R.K. and Hiller-Sturmhoffel, S. Alcoholism Teatment in the United States: An Overview. Alcohol Research and Health 23:69-77, 1999.
- Ghunney, J. K., Greer, J. M. & Allen, J. P. African Spiritual Worldview: Its Impact on Alcohol and Other Drug Use by Senior Secondary School Students in Ghana. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion 10:191-216, 1999.
- Allen, J. P. and Sillanaukee, P. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin is a Useful Marker for the Detection of Chronic Alcohol Abuse. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 24:556-557, 1999.
Prevention Research Branch |
Liaison Activities
- On January 26, 2000, Dr. Jan Howard represented NIAAA at the quarterly review of the HHS Secretary's Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative. The review was held in the Humphrey Building, Washington D.C. and chaired by the Deputy Secretary, HHS.
- During the Fall of 1999, Dr. Jan Howard contributed to the Evidence-Based Principles and Guidelines for Substance Abuse Prevention and Management being developed by ONDCP in conjunction with collaborating agencies. These principles are currently undergoing Department clearance.
- During the Fall of 1999, Dr. Jan Howard continued to represent NIAAA at monthly meetings of the NIH Prevention Research Coordinating Committee, which is chaired by the Office of Disease Prevention in the Office of the Director.
- During the Fall of 1999, Dr. Jan Howard served as NIAAA's representative on the planning committee for the Year 2000 annual meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, which focuses primarily on the prevention of substance abuse and mental illness.
- On October 1, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard represented NIAAA at a presentation by Dr. Jack Dresser, an NIAAA grantee, on state server training policies at a meeting of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) in Washington, D.C. NABCA is the association of alcohol control states.
- On December 3, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard participated in a meeting of the Federal Advisory panel for the Centers for the Application of Prevention Technologies (sponsored by CSAP) which are regional centers tasked with the responsibility of providing scientifically-based technical assistance to the States concerning substance abuse prevention. The meeting was held in Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Gayle Boyd continues to serve as staff liaison for the Panel on Prevention and Treatment of College Alcohol Problems of the NIAAA National Advisory Council Subcommittee on College Drinking, Bethesda. The third and fourth meetings of this panel were held October 12-13, 1999, and February 8-9, 2000, in Bethesda, Maryland.
- November 3-4, 1999, Dr. Boyd participated in a meeting hosted by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention on "Ethnic Drinking Profiles on College Campuses: What Does Research Tell Us?," in Bethesda, Maryland. This meeting brought together educators from predominantly minority schools and researchers to assist CSAP in assessing the need for an initiative in this area.
- On December 9, 1999, Washington, D.C. Dr. Boyd represented the Institute on the AMA-sponsored Coalition on Adolescent Health. The coalition seeks to promote adolescent health by bringing together representatives from government and non-government agencies and organizations to discuss policy, legal, research, and service issues that affect adolescent health.
- On January 31 - February 1, 2000, Dallas, Texas, Dr. Boyd participated in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) College Commission. This Commission, composed of educators, community groups, researchers, and representatives from government agencies, will provide MADD with recommendations for about the role they can play in combating underage drinking on and around college campuses.
- Dr. Kendall Bryant helped in revising and issuing a joint RFA with NIMH entitled "RFA Long-term Maintenance of HIV/STD Behavior Change." (MH-00-004) The major objective of research supported under this RFA is to identify effective ways to prevent relapse to behaviors that place persons at high risk for infection by the AIDS virus. Findings from these studies will contribute to a better understanding of how different factors, including alcohol abuse and relapse, may contribute to relapse to high risk behaviors. The effect of alcohol and substance use on judgment, decision making, and perception of risk associated with relapse to high-risk behaviors would be studied and effective interventions developed. The application receipt date is March 17, 2000.
- On January 22-23, 2000, Dr Bryant participated as an NIAAA representative to the Executive Steering Committee for the Treatment Adherence Health Outcomes and Cost Study, a multi-Institute collaborative study. Subject recruitment and enrollment will be initiated at eight U.S. sites using a standardized patient assessment battery focusing on Substance abuse, Mental Health, and HIV-related behaviors and health outcomes. Each site will also test site- specific interventions to improve health outcomes using randomized controlled designs.
- Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts attended meeting of THE EXCHANGE, a consortium from the public/private sector focusing on substance abuse. The October 29, 1999, meeting was held at the Offices of Montgomery County Health and Human Services, Silver Spring, Maryland. The discussion topic was "substance abuse prevention and governmental technical assistance."
- On November 20, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts met with the Executive Board of the Society for Medical Anthropology in Chicago. Dr. Heurtin-Roberts was elected to the Board this fall for a three-year term of office.
- On November 20, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts met with the Alcohol and Drug Study Group, a Committee of the Society for Medical Anthropology to discuss program interests and funding opportunities at NIAAA. The group, devoted to anthropological investigation of substance abuse, met at the Annual Meetings of the American Anthropological Association in Chicago, Illinois.
- On December 9, 1999, Drs. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts and Jan Howard met with Dr. John Lanigan, Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research to discuss ways to stimulate Social Work Research in the alcohol field. Planning began for a NIAAA-supported Social Work Research Technical Assistance Workshop in Alcohol to be held in Bethesda on April 27 and 28, 2000. Long-range plans were also discussed.
- On January 28-30, 2000, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts attended the meetings of the Society for Social Work Research in Charleston, South Carolina. There, she participated in a Technical Assistance Workshop sponsored by the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) for doctoral students in Social Work Research. The purpose of the workshop was to encourage new social work researchers to enter the fields of research in alcohol and other substance abuse as well as mental health. Representatives from NIMH and NIDA also participated.
- On September 14-15, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts participated in working group on Adherence to Medical and Lifestyle Interventions, held by NHLBI. She provided a position statement for the meeting.
- On October 7 and 14, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts attended meetings of the planning committee for the Office for Behavioral and Social Science Research (OBSSR) conference, "Toward Higher Levels of Analysis: Progress and Promise in Research on Social and Cultural dimensions of Health." The conference is planned for June 27-28, 2000.
- On October 21, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts attended a meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on FAS. The Prevention Branch sponsored a special session of the meeting featuring presentations of the seven FAS RFA Awardees on their proposed research.
- On October 19 and December 3, 1999, Dr. Susan Martin attended the regular meeting of the NIH Child Abuse and Neglect Working Group.
- On October 22 and December 10, Dr. Susan Martin attended the monthly meeting of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Coordinating Committee.
- On October 18, Dr. Susan Martin participated in the final planning meeting for the NIH Director's Advisory Group on Youth Violence Interventions. On October 29 and 29 she participated in the Expert Panel Meeting on Youth Violence Interventions that was held in Rockville, MD. On December 16 she participated in a meeting of this group to finalize plans for an RFA on Youth Violence Interventions.
- On September 30 and December 2, Dr. Susan Martin attended the Interagency Committee on Alcohol and Crime at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.
- On November 30, Dr. Susan Martin participated in a Expert Panel Meeting on Creating An Alcohol Policy System in Bethesda, MD.
- On December 20 and 21, Dr. Susan Martin participated in a working meeting of contractors and agency staff at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize data analysis and report writing plans for the Study, Crash Risk of Alcohol Involved Driving.
- On January 12, 2000, Dr. Susan Martin participated in the annual meeting of the Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Transportation of the Transportation Research Board, National Research Council at the annual TRB meeting in Washington, DC.
- On October 20, 1999 Dr. Jan Howard chaired a meeting in Bethesda, Maryland of recently funded grantees who responded to the RFA on preventing fetal alcohol syndrome. The purpose of the meeting was to acquaint the group of seven grantees with the various interventions being tested among diverse populations in diverse settings, as well as the different outcome variables and research designs. A longer range goal was to stimulate continuous sharing of information and selected survey questions.
- During December, 1999 Dr. Jan Howard organized a special technical assistance workshop to be held at RSA primarily for new minority investigators with an interest in developing alcohol-focused research applications. The workshop, which is being supported by funds from the NIH Office of Research on Minority Health and NIAAA, will be held June 23 and 24 in conjunction with RSA. A total of 22 participants have already accepted NIAAA's offer to attend, not including faculty.
- On January 11, 2000, Drs. Harold Holder and Jan Howard convened and coordinated a meeting of experts in prevention research to discuss principles of effective preventive interventions across a broad domain of settings and age groups. Participants also included Drs. Alex Wagenaar, Ralph Hingson, William Hansen, Marilyn Aguirre-Molina, and by telephone: Alan Marlatt, Frank Chaloupka, John (Kim) Worden, Brian Flynn, and Phyllis Ellickson. The meeting, which was held in Chevy Chase, Maryland, constituted a first step in the process of setting forth prevention principles specifically relevant to alcohol abuse.
- On October 15, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard hosted a seminar presentation by Dr. Paul Zador of Westat Inc., on the research design and survey procedures for the evaluation of the ONDCP media campaign to prevent drug abuse. The seminar was held at NIAAA.
- On September 1, 8, and 22, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts chaired meetings of the Qualitative Research Task Force, a sub-group of the Cultural and Qualitative Research Interest Group (CQRIG) charged with planning the working group on qualitative research methods at NIH, 9/30-10/1 (see below).
- On October 20, 1999, Drs. Jan Howard and Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts met in Bethesda with the seven Principal Investigators who have been funded through the FAS RFA . The meeting was held to develop a research consortium to coordinate studies and share information.
- On October 21, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard gave a presentation entitled "Prevention Research and FAS: A Context" at a meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome held in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Howard also organized and chaired the presentations by the seven grantees funded as respondents to the RFA on Preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
- On October 29, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard participated in an NIAAA panel to acquaint a large contingent of visiting Humphrey fellows with the research perspectives of NIAAA.
- On November 3, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard represented NIAAA and made opening remarks at a meeting of invited experts on alcohol abuse among racial and ethnic minority college students, held at the Georgetown University Conference Center, Washington, D.C.
- On November 16 and 17, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard participated in two separate expert panels, sponsored by CSAP, on the Outreach to Children of Parents in Treatment Project and the Alcohol Strategy Think Tank. Both panels reviewed the state of the science concerning the prevention of alcohol problems among youth and identified possible intervention strategies as well as research priorities. The meetings were both held in Washington, D.C.
- On December 1, 1999, Dr. Jan Howard chaired a National Leadership Forum on "Media Advocacy as a Catalyst for Community Change," at the annual CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) meeting in Washington, D.C. Panel participants included Harold Holder and James Lange from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, James Baker from the Institute for Health Advocacy, and Johnnetta Davis from the National Center for Alcohol Abuse Prevention.
- On October 6, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts gave a presentation on "Culture, Ethnicity and Illness Behavior," at the monthly meeting of the NIH Cultural and Qualitative Research Interest Group.
- On November 18, 1999, Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts presented a paper "Anthropology and Alcohol Research: Looking Backward and Forward," co-authored by Dr. Cherry Lowman, at the 98th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association in Chicago Illinois. The paper was part of an Invited Session "Altering Minds and Bodies in the 21st Century: What Can Alcohol and Drug Studies Teach Medical Anthropology?" celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Association's Alcohol and Drug Study Group. At the same meetings, on November 18, 1999, Dr. Heurtin-Roberts participated in a public policy forum by invitation of the American Anthropological Association on the topic of "Exploring Ethnic Differences in Health." Forum participants included academics as well as government representatives.
- Dr. Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts chaired a working group on September 30-October 1, 1999, on "Qualitative Methods in Health Research: Opportunities and Considerations in Applications and Review." The working group, sponsored by OBSSR, NIMH, and NIAAA brought together experts in qualitative research from the U.S. and Canada. The working group was convened to lay the foundation for producing a resource document offering guidance for researchers wishing to develop applications utilizing qualitative research methods.
- On October 18, Dr. Susan Martin presented a paper, "Self-Reported Alcohol Use by ADAM Arrestees: 1989 and 1998" at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology in Toronto, Canada.
- On January 12, 2000, Dr. Susan Martin presented a talk, "Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behaviors: A Comparison of White, Black and Hispanic Drivers" at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board, National Research Council in Washington, D.C.
Treatment Research Branch |
Workshop on Measurement of Alcohol Craving in Research on Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
The 1997 NIAAA-funded workshop on Treatment and Alcohol Craving provided multiple perspectives from basic and clinical science on the nature and dynamics of alcohol craving. On November 15-16, 1999, NIAAA sponsored a small working group to extend findings from the 1997 workshop to include evaluation of approaches to craving assessment in treatment research. The 1999 working group focused on the need to identify and develop reliable and valid craving assessment instruments for inclusion in different types of clinically relevant studies; for example, laboratory studies (e.g., cue reactivity assessment), epidemiologic studies, natural history and community studies, and most important, treatment outcome studies and clinical trials, especially pharmacological trials. Members of the working group will collaborate in the production of a document that discusses the status of craving assessment in alcohol studies today, available instruments appropriate for use in craving assessment, and future research needs on craving assessment. NIAAA staff, Drs. Cherry Lowman and Raye Litten, organized the workshop; Stephen T. Tiffany of Purdue University served as workshop moderator. The workshop was held in the Neuroscience Center at 6001 Executive Boulevard in Rockville, Maryland.
Trans-NIH RFA on Compliance to Pharmacological Interventions
NIAAA is participating in an RFA (Odd-00-006) which was recently released by the NIH Office on Behavioral and Social Sciences on Compliance to Pharmacological Interventions. The RFA resulted from meetings held during the fall of 1999 by representatives from most of the NIH Institutes and represents a joint initiative. NIAAA representatives were Dr. Margaret Mattson from the Treatment Research Branch and Dr. Kendall Bryant from the Prevention Research Branch.
Presentations
- Dr. Joanne Fertig Organized and moderated a session "Pharmacological Effects of Alcohol and other Drugs" for ASAM's State of the Art conference "Neuroscience, Clinical practice and Services Research" November 4, 1999.
- Dr. Joanne Fertig presented paper "Perspectives from Alcoholism Treatment Research on the Use of Control Groups in Psychosocial Research" NIMH workshop on "Control Groups in Psychosocial Intervention Research: Ethical and Methodological Issues, December 1, 1999.
- Dr. Raye Litten presented "NIAAA's Portfolio for Medications Development," before the Extramural Scientific Advisory Board for Treatment, Bethesda, Maryland, November 8, 1999.
- Dr. Raye Litten presented "NIAAA's Overview and Strategies for Introducing New Medications," at ASAM's State of the Art Conference: Neuroscience, Clinical Practice and Services Research, Washington, D.C., November 5, 1999.
Health Services Research Program |
Researcher in Residence Program
The Researcher in Residence Program is a joint activity of NIAAA and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), and co-funded by CSAT.
Dr. Michael Hilton has taken a leadership role in the Researcher in Residence Program effort, organizing two Director's Planning meetings for the Researcher in Residence. The first of these was held in New York City for the purpose of clarifying which research advances merited translation into clinical practice (October 18, 1999). The second was held in Rockville (December 1, 1999) and brought together the participating researchers and clinic directors to plan the content of the residency visits.
Social Identification Theory Workshop
As part of an ongoing liaison between NIAAA and the American Psychological Society (APS), opportunities are sought to advance alcohol research through cross-discipline exchanges of research findings, models and methodologies. Research on the formation of personal and social identities was identified as an example of natural convergence between social psychology and ongoing alcohol-related research. Dr. Wendy Smith planned and coordinated a workshop, Social Identification Theory: Implications for Alcohol Research (November 15-16, 1999). This workshop included both social identity researchers and cognitive development alcohol researchers and served to encourage social psychologists to address alcohol problems in their research and advance our understanding of alcohol and youth.
Liaison Activities
- Dr. Michael Hilton participated in two meetings of a CSAT panel "Connecting Services to Research" which is one of five panels charged with developing a national plan to guide CSAT's activities. The first meeting was held September 28 and 29, 1999, and the second was held December 7 and 8, 1999. At the September meeting, Dr. Hilton gave a presentation describing the Institute's activities and programs in health services research.
- Dr. Michael Hilton attended a Research to Practice Forum sponsored by NIAAA and CSAT in North Carolina, laying the basis for the launching of another Researcher in Residence program in that state. The forum was held November 4 and 5, 1999 in Research Triangle Park, NC.
- Dr. Michael Hilton participated in a CSAT expert panel to oversee the production of a document compiling the National Spending Estimates for drug, alcohol abuse, and mental health treatment. December 10, 1999, Rockville.
- Dr. Michael Hilton participated in a meeting of CSAT's Practice-Research Collaborative Network, a "bridging the gap" activity designed to bring researchers and practicing clinicians into closer collaboration. December 2 and 3, 1999.
- Dr. Harold Perl was appointed to represent NIAAA on two Working Groups encompassed under the auspices of Secretary Shalala's Quality Interagency Coordinating Task Force (Quality Improvement Initiative): Working Group on designing a national reporting system to lead to the production of a comprehensive "Report to the Nation on Health Care Quality"
- Working Group on promoting research that improves quality.
- Dr. Wendy Smith served as a member of Task Force Planning Committee for Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research, NIAAA, and NIMH co-sponsored conference on qualitative research methods: Qualitative Methods in Health Research: Opportunities and Considerations in Application and Review, September 30, 1999-October 1, 1999, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Wendy Smith continues to serve as a member of Task Force Committee in its ongoing responsibilities in the development of guidelines developed from this workshop.
- Dr. Wendy Smith represents the Health Services Research Program on the trans-institute Committee on Managed Care Research, August 30, 1999 and on its subcommittee on research collaborations with managed care companies.
Other Activities
- Dr. Michael Hilton attended the Seventh Conference on Survey Research Methods, which the Institute co-sponsored with AHCPR and a variety of other federal agencies. The conference was held in Williamsburg, Virginia, September 24-27, 1999.
- Dr. Michael Hilton prepared the Institute's Fiscal Year 2000 Information Collection Budget for NIH's OMB Project Clearance Branch, Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration.. The report summarized all Institute activities expected to require OMB clearance for the coming fiscal year and provides estimates of the total respondent burden of both new and continuing projects.
- Dr. Harold Perl edited 10 manuscripts on state-of-the-art health services research methodologies for inclusion in special supplement to journal, Addiction.
- Dr. Wendy Smith reviewed seven articles and served as guest editor for the special section on women and alcohol problems in the journal, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
- Dr. Wendy Smith served as ad hoc expert reviewer on behavioral medicine for the National Cancer Institute review committee on behavioral research in cancer control, November 1999.
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DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH |
- 09/30/99 Dr Michael Davis (Emory University) presented the lecture Neural Systems Involved in Fear and Anxiety
- 10/13/99 Dr Elena A Werby (University of Southern Mississippi) presented the lecture Study of the Interaction of Aliphatic Alcohols with Exogenic Ligands of the GABA Mediator System Using Different Experimental Models
- 11/08/99 Dr Luis G Aguayo (Concepcion University, Chile) presented the lecture Development of Glycine Receptors in Spinal Cord Neurons Role in Neurite Outgrowth
- 12/03/99 Dr Oline Ronnekleiv (Oregon Health Sciences University) presented the lecture Effect of Maternal Cocaine Exposure on Fetal Dopamine Neurons in Rhesus Macaque
- 01/13/00 Dr Dean Wong (Johns Hopkins University) presented the lecture PET Neurotransmitter/Receptor Imaging in Pathophysiology and Drug Development
Special Training or Meetings |
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Calvin W Crutchfield (LMBB) received training related to Mouse Heart Methodology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati OH, 10/31-11/06/99
- Catherine A Little (LCS) attended the PRIM and R/ARENA Conference to gain knowledge on IRB processes, policies, and procedures, Boston MA, 12/05-07/99
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics Scientific Retreat, Annapolis MD, 11/15-17/99
- Marissa A Ehringer (University of Colorado Health Sciences Center) met with LNG staff in preparation of collaboration, Rockville MD, 11/2/99
- Jeffrey Long, PhD (LNG) met with Bernard Albaugh (Center for Human Behavior Studies) to discuss data related to the Choctaw study, Rockville MD, 12/3-6/99
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics Staff Participation at the Annual NIH Research Festival, Bethesda Md, 5-8 October 1999
- Aneeq Ahmad presented the poster Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid on Volumetric Changes in the Hippocampus of the Rat Brain
- Mohamamed Akbar presented the poster Prevention of Neuronal Apoptosis by Docosahexanoic Acid in its Possible Signaling Mechanisms
- Myung-Ae Bae presented the poster Early Signaling Mechanism of Acetaminophen Induced Apoptosis
- Jillonne Hamilton presented the poster The Effect of n-3 Deficiency on the Accumulation of Phosphatidylserine in Neuronal and Non-neuronal Tissues
- Kyu-Shik Jeong presented the poster Selective Activation of the c-Jun N-Terminal Protein Kinase Pathway During 4-Hydroxynonenal-Induced Apoptosis of PC12 Cells
- Bei-Bei Li presented the poster Melatonin Modulated Fatty Acid Release in the Rat Pineal Gland
- Drake C. Mitchell presented the poster Reduced Water Activity Amplifies the Effect of Ethanol on Receptor Conformation Change
- Toru Moriguchi presented the poster Behavioral Effect of Dietary n-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency in Second- and Third-Generation Rats
- Shui-Lin Niu presented the poster Lipid Dependence of G-Protein Coupled Signal Transduction
Laboratory of Neurogenetics Staff Participation at the 7th World Congress on Psychiatric Genetics, Monterey Ca, 14-18 October 1999
- Mary Anne Enoch presented the abstract Personality Traits Associated with the 5-HT2A Promoter Polymorphism -1438GA
- David Goldman served as Co-Chair of session on Substance Abuse
- Chiara M Mazzanti presented the abstract The Human THO1 Tetra-tandem Repeat and Its Role in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
DICBR Staff Participation at the American Society For Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Fall Symposium I - Ethanol and Cell Signaling, Lake Tahoe Ca, 15-18 October 1999
- Burton J Litman (LMBB) presented lecture Receptor and Effector Enzyme in G Protein-Coupled Visual Transduction Pathway are Diffentially Modulated by Ethanol
- Drake C Mitchell (LMBB) presented paper Ethanol and Cell Signaling is Potentiated by Solution Osmolarility
- Robert W Peoples (LMCN) presented lecture Studies on Site of Alcohol Action on NMDA Receptor-Channels
Laboratory of Neurogenetics Staff Participation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society Of Human Genetics, San Francisco Ca, 19-23 October 1999
- Janet A. Brooks attended
- Jeffrey C Long (LNG) co-presented the lecture Association Between Alcohol Dependence and VI-Locus Haplotypes on Chromosome 11P15.5 in American Indian Populations
DICBR Staff Participation at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Miami Fl, 23-28 October 1999
- Allyson J Bennett (LCS/NN) presented abstract Cardiac Signal Complexity Correlates with CSF 5-HIAA Concentrations and is affected by Ketamine
- Philip J Brooks (LNG) attended
- Misa Fukuzawa (LMCN) attended
- James D Higley (LCS/NN) Chaired a symposium and present lecture titled CRH as a Mediator of Stress in Non-Human Primates
- Daniel W Hommer (LCS) presented a poster
- Masako Hosoi (LMCN) attended the short course DNA Microarrays: The New Frontier in Gene Discovery and Gene Expression Analysis
- Brian Knutson (LCS) presented a poster
- Chiara M Mazzanti (LNG) presented the poster Func Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Polymorph: Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT) for Schizophrenia...vs CSF Monamine Metabolite Concentration
- Robert W Peoples (LMCN) presented the abstract Enthanol Inhibition of NR1/NR2B NMDA-Gated Ion Channels Does Not Require the Intracellular C-Terminus
- Judy G Pushkas (LCS/NN) presented the abstract Antalarmin Suppresses Non-Human Primates' Responses to Social Stress
- Jeffrey J Schoenebeck (LMCN) attended the short course DNA Microarrays: The New Frontier in Gene Discovery and Gene Expression Analysis
- Joannie C Shen (LCS) attended
- Randall R Stewart (LMCN) presented the abstract Expression of GABAA Receptor Subunit S Cloned from Neuronal Precursor Cells of the Anterior SVZ of the Neo-Natal Rat Forebrain
- Jonathan T Walker (LCS) attended
- Forrest Weight Jr (LMCN) attended a short course on DNA Microarrays: The New Frontier in Gene Discovery and Gene Expression Analysis
- Ke-Ming Xiong (LMCN) presented the abstract Inhibition of P2x4 Receptor Function by Zinc
- Pingjun Zhu (LMCN) attended
DICBR Staff Participation at the 38TH Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Acapulco MX, 11-18 December 1999
- Allyson J Bennett (LCS/NN) presented the poster Interindividual Differences in CSF 5-HIAA Concentrations Alter Rhesus Monkeys' Cardiac Signal Complexity in Response to Serotonergic Agents
- David Goldman (LNG) presented the lecture PTSD in American Indian Communities: Interplay of Genes, Environment and Pathology
- Joseph R Hibbeln (LMBB) presented the poster Infant Formulas with DHA and AA Improve Motor Skills and Visual Orientation Skills in Infancy and Heart Rate Variability in Adolescence
- James D Higley (LCS/NN) presented the poster Phenotypic Outcomes in CNS Serotonin-Mediated Behavior: Developmental and Genotypic Influences Using a Nonhuman Primate Model
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics Staff Participation at the Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, New Orleans La, 12-16 February 2000
Other Presentations Made or Meetings Attended by DICBR Staff
- David Goldman (LNG) presented a lecture Genetics of Alcohol Response and Alcoholism at the conference New Directs in Pharmacogenetics and Ecogenetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, 10/3-6/99
- Jeffrey C Long (LNG) presented the lecture Incidence of Simple and Complex Genetic Diseases in...Populations with Reference to Native Americans at the Society for Advancement Chicanos & Native Americans in Science Conference, Portland OR, 10/7-10/99
- Joannie C Shen and Kimberly Moon (LCS) attended the 1st Annual Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Practical Application and Evaluations, San Francisco CA, 10/14-17/99
- Joseph G Lorenz (LNG) presented the paper What Does DNA Tell Us About the Relationships Among California Indians and Beyond, at the 14th California Indian Conference at Cuesta Coll, San Luis Obispo CA, 10/15-16/99
- Byoung J Song (LMBB), discussion of collaboration with Seoul National University Medical School, Korea Prod Center for Alcohol Research, Seoul Hospital, Korea; attended Korea University 3rd Symposium on Human Dis Biotech, Seoul; Korea; and attended Conference of Korean Association N Biol Science, Iksan, Korea, 10/27-11/12/99
- Darleen Mckeane-Mckenzie (LNG) attended the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fall Symposium III, Lake Tahoe CA, 10/29-11/1/99
- Philip J Brooks (LNG) presented poster Inhibition of Gene Expression by Oxid DNA LES 8, 5'-Cyclo-2'-Deoxyaden: A Possible mechanism for Neurodegeneration in Xeroderma Pigmt... at the American Society for MICR Meeting, Hilton Head SC, 11/1-7/99
- David Goldman (LNG) present lecture Genetic Research in Alcohol Dependence at the Society for the Study of Addiction to Alcohol & Other Drugs Annual Symposium, Edinburgh, Scotland, 11/4-5/99
- Alan L Chedester (LAS) attended the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, Indianapolis IN, 11/7-11/99
- Jeffrey C Long attend a Choctaw Tribal Meeting, Durant OK, 11/10/99
- Joannie C Shen (LCS) attended the conference Complementary and Alternative Therapies in the Academic Medical Center: Issues in Ethics and Policy, Philadelphia PA, 11/10-12/99
- Richard L Veech (LMBB) participated in The Renaissance Medicine Colloquium, Center for Health Futures, Orlando FL, 11/30-12/03/99
- Joannie C Shen (LCS) presented a paper at the 6th Annual Symposium On Complementary Health Care, Exeter UK, 12/2-4/99
- Ronald Finnegan and Shashaank Vattikuti (LNG) co-presented the poster SNP Genotyping with SOL Server English Query Services at the Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing 2000, Honolulu HI, 1/4-8/00
- David Goldman (LNG) presented the lecture Genetic Diversity of Human Dopamine and Serotonin Receptors at the Keystone Symposium Genetics of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Tahoe City CA, 1/23-28/00
Published Articles/Letters/Reviews
Denkins YM, Woods J, Whitty JE, Hannigan JH, Martier SS, Sokol RJ, Salem N: Effects of gestational alcohol exposure on the fatty acid composition of umbilical cord serum in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000;71(1):300S-6S (Suppl.)
DePetrillo PB, Speers D, Ruttimann UE: Determining the Hurst exponent of fractal time series and its application to electrocardiographic analysis. Computers in Biology and Medicine 1999;29(6):393-406
Enoch MA, White KV, Harris CR, Robin RW, Ross J, Rohrbaugh JW, Goldman D: Association of low-voltage alpha EEG with a subtype of alcohol use disorders. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research 1999;23(8):1312-9
Feller SE, Huster D, Gawrisch K: Interpretation of NOESY cross-relaxation rates from molecular dynamics simulation of a lipid bilayer. Journal of the American Chemical Society 1999;121(38):8963-4
Foley TD: The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal potently and selectively inhibits synaptic plasma membrane ecto-ATPase activity, a putative regulator of synaptic ATP and adenosine. Neurochemical Research 1999;24(10):1241-8
Heishman SJ, Weingartner HJ, Henningfield JE: Selective deficits in reflective cognition of polydrug abusers: Preliminary findings. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 1999;13(3):227-31
Hibbeln JR, Umhau JC, George DT, Shoaf SE, Linnoila M, Salem N: Plasma total cholesterol concentrations do not predict cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter metabolites: implications for the biophysical role of highly unsaturated fatty acids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000;71(1):331S-8S (Suppl)
Iwata N, Cowley DS, Radel M, Roy-Byrne PP, Goldman D: Relationship between a GABA(A)alpha 6 Pro385Ser substitution and benzodiazepine sensitivity. American Journal of Psychiatry 1999;156(9):1447-9
Kim YO, Koh HJ, Kim SH, Jo SH, Huh JW, Jeong KS, Lee IJ, Song BJ, Huh TL: Identification and functional characterization of a novel, tissue-specific NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase beta subunit isoform. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1999;274(52):36866-75
Lappalainen J, Long JC, Virkkunen M, Ozaki N, Goldman D, Linnoila M: HTR2C Cys23Ser polymorphism in relation to CSF monoamine metabolite concentrations and DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnoses. Biological Psychiatry 1999;46(6):821-6
Lindell SG, Suomi SJ, Shoaf S, Linnoila M, Higley JD: Salivary prolactin as a marker for central serotonin turnover. Biological Psychiatry 1999;46(4):568-72
Peterson RJ, Goldman D, Long JC: Effects of worldwide population subdivision on ALDH2 linkage disequilibrium. Genome Research 1999;9(9):844-52
Rotondo A, Schuebel KE, Bergen AW, Aragon R, Virkkunen M, Linnoila M, Goldman D, Nielsen DA: Identification of four variants in the tryptophan hydroxylase promoter and association to behavior. Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4(4):360-8
Uauy R, Mena P, Wegher B, Nieto S, Salem N: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid formation in neonates: Effect of gestational age and intrauterine growth. Pediatric Research 2000;47(1):127-35
Vivian JA, Higley JD, Linnoila M, Woods JH: Oral ethanol self-administration in rhesus monkeys: behavioral and neurochemical correlates. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research 1999;23(8):1352-61
Vivian JA, Liang YJ, Higley JD, Linnoila M, Woods JH: Oral self-administration of ethanol, phencyclidine, methadone, pentobarbital and quinine in rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology 1999;147(2):113-24
Westergaard GC, Izard MK, Drake JH, Suomi SJ, Higley JD: Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) group formation and housing: Wounding and reproduction in a specific pathogen free (SPF) colony. American Journal of Primatology 1999;49(4):339-47
Westergaard GC, Suomi SJ, Higley JD, Mehlman PT: CSF 5-HIAA and aggression in female macaque monkeys: species and interindividual differences. Psychopharmacology 1999;146(4):440-6
Published Abstracts
Bergen AW, Wilhelm L, Vallejo R, Kim S, McKeane D, Robin R, Goldman D, Long JC: Association between alcohol dependence and 5-locus haplotypes on chromosome 11p15.5 in an American Indian population. American Journal of Human Genetics 1999;65(4):69 (Suppl)
Enoch MA, Kaye WH, Harris C, Virkkunen M, Goldman D: Personality traits associated with the 5-HT2A promoter polymorphism,-1438GA. Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4:208 (Suppl)
Feng J, Zheng J, Gelernter J, Kranzler H, Cook E, Craddock N, Goldman D, Heston LL, Bennett WP, Sommer SS: A common in-frame deletion in the alpha 2c-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2cAR): Possible association with cocaine abuse. Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4:263 (Suppl)
Lilenfeld LR, Kaye WH, Devlin B, Bulik CM, Strober M, Berretini W, Goldman D, Halmi K, Fichter M, Kaplan A, Woodside B, Treasure J: Refinement of behavioral phenotypes with an international sample of eating disordered individuals. Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4:310 (Suppl)
Mazzanti CM, Malhotra A, Rotondo A, Lipsky R, Kolachana B, Bozak D, Vyas G, Goldman D: The human TH01 tetra-tandem repeat and its role in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4:S24 (Suppl)
Radel M, Aragon R, Mazzanti C, Kolachana B, Vanakoski J, Rudolph J, Goldman D: Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) analysis of pooled PCR samples for high-throughput screening for DNA sequence variants of human populations. American Journal of Human Genetics 1999;65(4):2360 (Suppl)
Roca CA, Harlow BL, Davis C, Schmidt PJ, Mazzanti C, Lappalainen J, Ozaki N, Goldman D, Rubinow DR: Role of three functional polymorphisms in serotonin genes in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Molecular Psychiatry 1999;4:221 (Suppl)
Rotondo A, Pardini L, Armani A, Sarno N, Gemignani A, Presta S, Pfanner C, Mauri M, Goldman D, Dell'Osso L, Cassano GB: Genetic association study of promoter region polymorphisms in tryptophan hydroxylase and serotonin transporter genes with obsessive compulsive disorder. Journal of Psychophysiology 1999;13(3):209
Sher L, Enoch MA, Mazzanti CM, Hardin TA, Greenberg BD, Murphy DL, Goldman D, Rosenthal NE: The role of the 5-HTT length promoter repeat polymorphism and the 5-HT2A,-1438G/A, promoter polymorphism in the etiology of seasonality and seasonal affective disorder. FASEB Journal 1999;13(4):A85 (Suppl)
Yau WM, Gawrisch K: Deuteration of indole and 1-methylindole by Raney nickel catalysis.
Abstracts of Papers of The American Chemical Society 1999;218:U703 (Part 2) Back to Top
VI. Upcoming Meetings and Workshops |
NIAAA-SPONSORED WORKSHOPS |
"Early Childhood Neurobehavioral Assessment for the Differential Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Alcohol-Related Neurological Disorder" |
This workshop is a collaborative effort with three other NIH Institutes: Child Health and Human Development, Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Environmental Health Sciences. Experts will present research findings and techniques used to study a number teratogenic agents and developmental disorders. Distinguished speakers for this workshop include Dr. Kim Dietrich and Dr. Herbert Needleman, experts on lead as a developmental teratogen, Dr. Betsy Lozoff, expert on iron deficiency, Dr. Charles Nelson, a neurodevelopmental specialist in assessment tools. Also, well-known alcohol investigators, including Dr. Edward Riley, Dr. Charles Goodlett, Dr. Claire Coles, Dr. Joanne Weinberg, and Drs. Sandra and Joseph Jacobson will present their interesting findings of neurodevelopmental affects of alcohol.The objective will be to sharpen our understanding of the distinctive neurobehavioral pattern of ARND. Dr. Megan Adamson is chairing the planning committee with participation from Drs. Foudin, Faden and Witt of NIAAA.
"Alcohol-Induced Organ Toxicity: Implications for Treatment of Alcoholism," |
A symposium to be held on April 14, 2000, during the American Society of Addiction Medicine's (ASAM) 31st Annual Medical-Scientific Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 13-16, 2000.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Kresina,301-443-6537 tkresina@willco.niaaa.nih.gov Back to Top
Appointment of New Scientific Director |
George Kunos, M.D., Ph.D. has been selected as the new Scientific Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Dr. Kunos is internationally recognized as a leading scientist and has received numerous honors and awards. He was elected as a foreign member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; fellow, Council on High Blood Pressure Research, American Heart Association; and member, National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Kunos will be on board May 8, 2000 and will be formally introduced to the Council at its June Meeting. Please join me in welcoming him to the NIAAA.
For over two years, Dr. Norman Salem has been the Acting Scientific Director of the NIAAA. His dedication and scientific knowledge have been invaluable to the Institute, and I wish to extend my thanks to Dr. Salem for his superb performance during this time.
Office of Scientific Affairs |
The Extramural Research Branch is pleased to announce that Dr. Jules Selden, has joined us as a Scientific Review Administrator. Dr. Selden earned both a V.M.D. and a Ph.D. (Genetics), at the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining NIH, Dr. Selden was a Research Fellow, Genetic and Cellular Toxicology, Merck Research Laboratories. He has prior review experience in the Center for Scientific Review and most recently worked in NIAAA, as a Health Scientist Administrator in the Biomedical Research Branch of the Division of Basic Research.
Division of Clinical and Prevention Research |
Dr. Robert Huebner has been named Deputy Director of NIAAA's Division of Clinical and Prevention Research (DCPR). In his new position, he will be responsible for advising the DCPR Director in planning, administering, and implementing alcohol treatment, prevention, and health services research programs. In 1988, Dr Huebner joined NIAAA and for the next six years directed the national evaluation of NIAAA's multisite research demonstration programs on homelessness. In 1994, he was named Chief of the Health Services Research Program where he led the development of NIAAA's health services research portfolio, oversaw completion of a strategic plan for health services research, and was active in a number of trans-NIH committees on managed care. Before joining NIAAA, Dr. Huebner conducted research on health issues in the GAO's Program Evaluation and Methodology Division. He received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate School where he specialized in research methodology.
Until a permanent replacement for Dr. Huebner is selected, senior staff in the Health Services Research Program are sharing in the responsibility of leading the program. Dr. Harold Perl served as Acting Chief of the Health Services Research Program from September 27, 1999, until November 28, 1999, and Dr. Michael Hilton served as Acting Chief from November 29, 1999, to the present.
Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research |
Tenure Track Vacancies
DICBR currently has three tenure track vacancies. Selection committees will screen applications and interview candidates for positions in the following areas: 1) membrane biophysics and alcoholism (Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics); 2) human neurogenetics (Laboratory of Neurogenetics); and 3) liver regeneration (Office of the Director).
DICBR Term Appointments
Elena A. Fedorova-Werby, Ph.D., was appointed as a Postdoctoral IRTA (Intramural Research Training Award) Fellow (12/06/99 - 12/05/01) in the Section of Molecular Neuroscience, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology. Dr. Werby received her PhD (1996) in Biological Sciences from Odessa State Medical University, Ukraine and her MS (1990) in Biology from Mechnikov Odessa State University. Prior to joining the LMCN, Elena held the post of Research Scientist, University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory. She has also served as a Research Scientist at JV Interchem and as a Research Associate, Bogatsky Physico-Chemical Institute, Department of Physico-Chemical Pharmacology. While with LMCN, Dr. Werby will receive training in various techniques used to study the cellular and molecular physiology and pharmacology of the mammalian nervous system, including molecular biological techniques used to prepare and express cDNA and cRNA from cloned receptors and ion channels or mRNA from brain. She will also receiving training in electrophysiological techniques used to study function of recombinant receptors and ion channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes or cell lines. Dr. Werby's work will focus on examining the cellular and molecular physiology and phamacology of neuronal receptors and ion channels and the interaction of alcohol and other neuroactive substances with these mechanisms.
Yuhong Lin, PhD, was appointed as a Research Fellow (Visiting Program) (11/15/99 - 11/14/01) in the Office of the Chief, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dr. Lin received her PhD (1996) in Medical Science from Shanghai Second Medical University, Peoples Republic of China and her MS (1992) in Neuropharmacology and BS (1987) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hangzhou, PRC. Prior to joining the LMBB, Dr. Lin held the post of Associate Professor, Shanghai Second Medical University where she also served as a Lecturer, Research Laboratory of Cell Regulation (11/92-10/98). Dr. Lin is being trained to use mass spectral assays to measure essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism and catabolism and will assist in establishing GC/MS methods to measure EFA catabolism. She will participate in the analytical phase of basic and clinical research designed to measure elongation/desaturation of EFAs. Animal studies will focus on the quantitative relationships between blood and organ EFA measures and pharmacokinetic analyses will strive to define a realistic model that can be applied to clinical research where only the blood component is available. The goal is to determine how acute and chronic alcohol use and other pathological variables modulate pathways.
Walter Teague, PhD, was appointed as a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow (12/15/99 - 12/14/00) in the Section of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dr. Teague received his PhD (1999) in Physical Chemistry from the James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia. Dr. Teague will participate in ongoing investigation on the influence of the lipid matrix on the function of neural receptor proteins, particularly, the influence of high concentrations of polyunsaturated hydrocarbon chains with six double bonds. He will receive training in solid state NMR and thermodynamics of elastic membrane deformations and receptor protein-lipid interaction. His research will focus on investigating membrane-bending elasticity following transitions of docosahexaenoic-containing phospholipids into inverse hexagonal phase states. The goal is to verify if membrane curvature stress caused by lipid polyunsaturation is responsible for DHA's influence on neural receptor function.
Yang Qingfeng, PhD, was appointed as a Research Fellow (Visiting Program) (09/17/99 - 09/16/01) in the Unit of Clinical and Biological Pharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical Studies. Dr. Qingfeng received her PhD (1998) in Neuroscience from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, People's Republic of China and his MD (1989) in Pathology with minor in Tumor Immunology and BS (1986) in Medicine from Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, China. Between 1995-99, Dr. Qingfeng's research focused on studying the action modes of neurotrophic factors, their expression and receptors after sciatic nerve lesion, mechanisms of degeneration and regeneration of nerve and gene transfer of neurotropic factor for therapy of neurotrauma. From 1989-95 he served as Chief, CNS Injury Group, Research Institute of Surgery, 3rd Miliary Medical University where his research focused on neuronal cytoskeletal and sera immunological changes following brain and spinal cord injury. While with LCS, Dr. Qingfeng will examine the effects of alcohol exposure on cellular mechanisms of toxicity mediated by calcium-activated proteases, their inhibitors and the 5HT3 receptor. In the course of this investigation, he will learn and apply various techniques such as denaturing and non-denaturing SDS-PAGE, quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation, chromatography of proteins and peptides and basic cell culture methods.
Dr. Richard Veech, Chief, Unit of Metabolic Control, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Office of Rare Diseases. Investigators responded to a request for proposals issued by the NIH Office of Rare Diseases. These funds will support a "Rare Disease Research Workshop and Symposium," organized by Dr. Veech, to be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences in April 2000.
October 2000
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