National Institute on Drug Abuse
Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse
September, 1998
Program Activities
Program Announcements/RFAs
On June 9, 1998, NIDA, in conjunction with numerous other NIH Institutes including NIGMS, NIEHS, NIAMS, NIA, NIMH, NIAAA, NICHD, NHGRI and NHLBI, issued a Program Announcement to encourage research on the Genetic Architecture of Complex Phenotypes (PA-98-078). The purpose of this initiative is to support new studies on the architecture of complex phenotypes, including research using human and model systems as well as research using theoretical approaches. The studies targeted by this Program Announcement are expected to expand understanding of the roles of genetic and environmental variation and their interactions in causing phenotypic variation in populations; increase the quantity and quality of population-based data; lead to development of mathematical and statistical tools for analyzing measured genotype data; lead to improvements in study design; and create biologically relevant models for understanding the origins, roles and implications of genetic variation in causing variation in phenotypes.
On June 10, 1998, NIDA issued an RFA entitled Basic Behavioral and Cognitive Science Research: Approaches to the Study of HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (DA-99-002). This RFA is intended to encourage applications for research projects in the basic behavioral and cognitive sciences that can address the complex relationship between drug abuse/addiction and HIV/AIDS transmission and progression. Research is needed to characterize the antecedent variables and processes associated with increased risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and to determine the behavioral and cognitive consequences caused by potential combined effects of the virus, drugs of abuse, drug abuse pharmacotherapies, and anti-HIV medications. In addition, the recent development of anti-HIV medications requires adherence to complex medication regimens. It is important, therefore, to understand the basic cognitive and behavioral processes associated with treatment compliance, and the influence of drug abuse and addiction on these fundamental processes. Knowledge gained from basic behavioral and cognitive science research will aid in the development and refinement of treatment and prevention interventions. Letter of Intent Receipt date for this RFA is December 15, 1998; Application Receipt date is January 15, 1999.
Other Program Activities
Cocaine Rapid Efficacy Screening Trials (CREST) Program
The Medications Development Division, Clinical Trials Branch has initiated a Cocaine Rapid Efficacy Screening Trials (CREST) Program at 5 Medications Development Research Unit (MDRU) sites. Under direction of Dr. Deborah Leiderman, these Phase II trials evaluate the safety/efficacy of currently marketed medications for potential treatment of cocaine dependence. Each CREST protocol evaluates 2-3 marketed medications versus placebo in a controlled, 8 week double paradigm targeted to enroll 50-60 patients per site.
NIDA/NeuroSearch CRADA
The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between NIDA/MDD and NeuroSearch has progressed to the point where NeuroSearch has begun Phase I clinical trials of its proprietary compound as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction.
Drug Dependence Items on National Gambling Impact Study
NIDA is supporting inclusion of drug dependence items on a national survey of gambling behavior being fielded by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC). The NGISC was created by the 104th Congress to conduct a comprehensive study of the social and economic impacts of gambling on individuals, families, communities, and social institutions. The national survey, which will be collected by telephone, will include, inter alia, questions to assess problem or pathological gambling according to the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV); the Commission mandate also covers consideration of illicit drug use. NIDA will also support a supplement to the NGISC to include drug items to allow ascertainment of drug dependence using DSM-IV criteria. The final Commission report, due to Congress in June 1999, will incorporate findings based on these NIDA-sponsored items, and the data files will be provided to NIDA staff for analysis of co-occurring pathological gambling patterns and drug dependence.
NIDA/IRP Summer Research Program for Students
Since 1986, the IRP has had a summer research program for students. During the summer of 1998, a total of 41 students representing 35 high schools, colleges, and medical and graduate schools participated in the program through either the NIH Summer Internship Program or the Minority Research and Training Program. Each student participant was assigned to work with an IRP scientist on a research project. The students' training program is individually developed and includes directed readings, tutorials, attendance at seminars, and actual laboratory experience under the direction of the scientist. The culmination of the summer program is the students' presentation of their research at the NIH Student Poster Session held at the Bethesda campus in early August. Because of outstanding contributions and effort, some students will be co-authors on published papers or abstracts. The NIH Summer Internship Program is coordinated by Dr. Stephen Heishman, and the Minority Research and Training Program is coordinated by Dr. Jean Cadet and Ms. Mary Affeldt.
NIDA/IRP Fellows Committee
Within the intramural program, a NIDA Fellows Committee has been established, consisting of fellows elected from each of NIDA's intramural branches. The committee is modeled after the highly successful NIH Fellows Committee. Its mission is to work for the enhancement of the intramural research experience at NIDA, to serve as liaison between NIDA's fellows and the NIDA Administration, and to promote the fellows' future scientific careers. As its first major project, the NIDA Fellows Committee created and conducted the NIDA Fellows Survey, a one-hundred item questionnaire which polled the fellows' satisfaction with many aspects of their fellowship experience (e.g. Physical Resources, Technical Support, Mentor Relations, the NIDA Administration). This survey was completed by forty of NIDA's forty-eight fellows, and its findings were presented in the NIDA Fellows Survey Results Summary, which identified those areas receiving praise and criticism, both NIDA-wide and broken down by NIDA branch. From these findings, and subsequent discussions which took place in both Branch and Committee meetings, the NIDA Fellows Committee Action Plan was generated and presented to NIDA's Scientific Director, Dr. Barry Hoffer, in July of 1998. This Action Plan consisted of ten specific recommendations for the NIDA Administration to undertake to improve the intramural fellowship experience, and included suggestions to hire a professional consulting firm to improve the subject recruitment process, allocate an FTE slot for a full-time statistician, make successful mentorship a formal part of each senior staff's evaluation, and mandate that each fellow receive the basic necessities of a personal work space, a personal computer, and the funds to attend one scientific conference and one scientific workshop per year.
Summer Research Placements in Drug Abuse for Underrepresented Minority Students
For the second consecutive year, NIDA's Special Populations Office (with support from the Office of Research on Minority Health) sponsored summer research placements in drug abuse for underrepresented minority high school and undergraduate students. Twenty-two students participated in this year's program, which enabled them to work closely with NIDA investigators.
NIDA'S New/Competing Awards Since May 1998
Adinoff, Bryon --- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Limbic Sensitivity in Cocaine Addiction
Aldrich, Jane V. --- University of Maryland
Opioid Peptide Analogs as Probes of Opioid Receptors
Arria, Amelia M. --- Johns Hopkins University/Dept. of Mental Hygiene
Suspected Influences on Methamphetamine Use
Aston-Jones, Gary --- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Norepinephrine, Extended Amygdala and Opiate Withdrawal
Basbaum, Allan I. --- University of California
Spinal Mechanisms of Opioid Analgesia and Tolerance
Bechara, Antoine --- University of Iowa
Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms of Substance Abuse
Benowitz, Neal L. --- San Francisco Hospital/Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Nicotine
Bidlack, Jean M. --- University of Rochester
Opioid Receptors on Lymphocytes and Brain
Bigelow, George E. --- Johns Hopkins University Bayview Campus
Treatment Research Center: Behavioral Pharmacology
Borchardt, Ronald T. --- University of Kansas
Cyclic Prodrugs of Opioid Peptides
Branch, Marc N. --- University of Florida
Behavioral Determinants of Cocaine Tolerance
Brooner, Robert K. --- Johns Hopkins University -- Bayview Medical Center
Comparing Complementary Behavior Therapies
Carroll, Frank I. --- Research Triangle Institute
Novel Pharmacotherapies for Cocaine Dependence
Celentano, David D. --- Johns Hopkins University
Epidemiology of HIV-1 among Opiate Users in N Thailand
Chavez, Ernest L. --- Colorado State University
Mexican-American Dropouts and Drug Use
Cheng, Peter Y. --- Cornell University Medical College
ACTH Release by Dyn A: Role of NMDA Receptors
Chen, Kewen --- University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey Medical School
Delay of Gratification: Substance Use/Abuse/Dependence
Cherek, Don R. --- University of Texas Health Sciences Center
Altering Behavioral Risk for Drug Dependence
Chiauzzi, Emil --- Innovative Training Systems
Smart: An Alternative for Incarcerated Substance Abusers
Childers, Steven R. --- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms of Brain Opioid Systems
Collins, Allan C. --- University of Colorado
Pharmacogenetic Regulation of Sensitivity to Nicotine
Collins, Linda M. --- Pennsylvania State University
Drug Abuse Prevention Research Methodology Conferences
Crystal, Stephen --- Rutgers University
Drug Treatment and Care During Pregnancy in HIV+ Women
Csuhai, Eva --- University of Kentucky
Regulation of N-arginine Dibasic Convertase
Curran, James W. --- Emory University/Rollins School of Public Health
Emory/Atlanta Center for AIDS Research
D'Aunno, Thomas A. --- University of Chicago
Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey
D'Esposito, Mark --- University of Pennsylvania
Drug Studies of Dopamine and Prefrontal Function
Devi, Lakshmi A. --- New York University Medical Center
Posttranslational Regulation of Opioid Receptors
Duncan, Terry E. --- Oregon Research Institute
Random Coefficient Models of Family Substance Use
Edgar, Dale M. --- Stanford University
Sleep Homeostasis and Stimulant Drugs of Abuse
Edlin, Brian --- University of California
HIV Prevalence and Incidence Trends among IDUs 1986-1997
Edlin, Brian --- University of California
Randomized Hepatitis B Vaccine Delivery Trial for IDUs
Engel, Jorgen A. --- Oteborg University Faculty of Medicine
Ethanol and Nicotine: Neurobiological Interactions
Evans, Christopher J. --- University of California, Los Angeles
Mutational Libraries to Study Opioid Receptor Function
Fiorentine, Robert --- UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center
Client Needs and Drug Treatment Effectiveness
Fischman, Marian W. --- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
Drug Effects on Behavior: Workplace Implications
Foltin, Richard W. --- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
Laboratory Analysis of Cocaine Abstinence
Forman, Steven D. --- Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic
Neurobiology of Cognitive Gains with Opiate Maintenance
Foung, Steven K. H. --- Stanford University
Immunologic Response of Intravenous Drug Users to HTLV
Gastfriend, David R. --- Massachusetts General Hospital
Validity of the ASAM Criteria for Drug Abuse Treatment
Gawin, Frank H. --- Friends Research Institute, Inc.
Novel Neuroregulation of Crack Dependence
Gentry, W. Brooks --- University of Arkansas
Mechanisms of Onset & Offset of Rapid Stimulant Effects
Gifford, Andrew N. --- Brookhaven Science Assoc.
Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release by Cannabinoids
Grandy, David K. --- Oregon Health Sciences University
Transgenic Mice for Studying Drugs of Abuse
Grandy, David K. --- Oregon Health Sciences University
OFQ Modulation of Opioid Effects
Greenfield, Shelly F. --- McLean Hospital
Drug Use Disorders and Health Services Utilization
Grella, Christine E. --- University of California
Context & Effectiveness of Two Models of Service Delivery
Griffin, James P. --- Rollins School of Public Health
BRAVE (Building Resiliency and Vocational Excellence)
Griffiths, Roland R. --- Francis Scott Key Medical Center
Abuse Liability of Benzodiazepines and Caffeine
Grimes, Tresmaine R. --- South Carolina State University
Rural Black Youth in Transition: Impact on Drug Use
Groves, Philip M. --- University of California
Novel Modes of Action of Abused Drugs
Hanson, Glen R. --- University of Utah -- Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology
Pharmacology and Toxicology of Methamphetamine Abuse
Hans, Sydney L. --- University of Chicago
Infant Attachment: Maternal Trauma and Drug Use
Harachi, Tracy W. --- Social Development Research Group
Cross-Cultural Families Study
Hargreaves, Kenneth M. --- University of Texas Health Sciences Center
Peripheral Cannabinoids and Neurogenic Inflammation
Henderson, Earl E. --- Temple University School of Medicine
Effects of Opioids on HIV-1 Replication and Reactivation
Horvitz, Jon --- Columbia University
Mechanisms of Drug Abuse: DA and CS-Reward Learning
Howlett, Allyn C. --- St. Louis University
Cannabinoid Receptor Structure Activity Relationships
Hughes, John R. --- University of Vermont
Reduced Smoking to Prompt Smoking Cessation
Kalman, David W. --- Brown University
Smoking Cessation Treatment for Substance Abusers
Kendler, Kenneth S. --- Virginia Commonwealth University
A Twin-Family Study of Drug Use, Abuse, and Dependence
Kish, Stephen J. --- Clarke Institute of Psychiatry
Brain Neurochemistry of Human Methamphetamine Users
Kurtz, Stephen E. --- Northwest Neurologic, Inc.
A Method to Identify Pharmacotherapies for Cocaine Abuse
Lester, Robin A. --- University of Alabama
Subunit-Specific Regulation of Nicotinic Receptors
Levin, Edward D. --- Duke University
Chronic Nicotine-Infusion Induced Memory Improvement
Levin, Frances R. --- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
Methylphenidate Treatment for Cocaine Abuse and ADHD
Liberty, Hilary J. --- Social Sciences Innovations
Self-Report/Biological Measures Database of Drug Use
Lindberg, Iris --- Louisiana State University Medical Center
Opioid Peptide Processing Enzymes
Logan, T. K. --- University of Kentucky -- Center for Drug and Alcohol Research
HIV Risk Behavior and Violence among Crack Users
Luetje, Charles W. --- University of Miami School of Medicine
Binding Site Structure of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors
Madden, John J. --- Emory University School of Medicine
6th Conference: Drug Abuse, Immunomodulation and AIDS
Madras, Bertha K. --- Harvard Medical School
Molecular Probes for Specific Cocaine Recognition Sites
Malow, Robert M. --- University of Miami
Reducing HIV Risk in Drug Abusing Youth
Mandeville, Joseph B. --- Massachusetts General Hospital
fMRI Study of CNS Physiology During Cocaine Response
Mantyh, Patrick W. --- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Neurochemistry of Nociception
Mark, Gregory P. --- Oregon Health Sciences University
Nucleus Accumbens Involvement in Cocaine Reinforcement
Martin, Catherine A. --- University of Kentucky
Drug Abuse Pubertal Hormones and ADHD in Adolescence
Mattingly, Bruce A. --- Morehead State University
Receptor-Dependent Sensitization to Cocaine
McLaughlin, Robert J. --- Baylor College of Medicine
Efficacy of Teacher-Facilitated Student Support Groups
McMahon, Thomas J. --- Yale University School of Medicine
Drug-Dependent Fathers: A Developmental Perspective
Miczek, Klaus A. --- Tufts University
Psychomotor Stimulants and Aggression in Animals
Montoya, Isaac D. --- Affiliated Systems Corporation
A Field-Based Treatment Model for Hispanic Cocaine Users
Moore, Richard D. --- Johns Hopkins University
HIV Disease Outcomes in Drug Users in Clinical Practice
Morgan, James P. --- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital
Cellular Mechanisms of Crack Cocaine's Cardiac Toxicity
Murphy, Sheigla --- Institute for Scientific Analysis
A Study of New Heroin Users
Nair, Prasanna --- University of Maryland
Program for Drug Abusing Women and Their Children
Nestler, Eric J. --- Yale University School of Medicine
Molecular Neurobiology of Drug Addiction
Nishith, Pallavi --- University of Missouri, St. Louis
Substance Use and Dissociation in Female Trauma Victims
Norman, Andrew B. --- University of Cincinnati
Passive Immunity to Cocaine Using Novel Human Antibodies
North, Carol S. --- Washington University
Homeless Drug Abuse: Service Use, Costs, Consequences
Nurco, David N. --- Friends Research Institute
Community-Based Intervention for Children
Nyamathi, Adeline M. --- University of California
TB/HIV Risk Reduction with Homeless and Drug-Addicted
O'Brien, Charles P. --- University of Pennsylvania
Efficacy of Three Models of Nicotine Patch Treatment
Oswald, Robert E. --- Cornell University
Cocaine & Nicotine Action on CNS Acetylcholine Receptors
Paone, Denise --- Beth Israel Medical Center
Sexual Abuse and HIV Risk
Patrick, James W. --- Baylor College of Medicine
Molecular Approaches to Nicotine Addiction
Pilling, Gary M. --- Albany Molecular Research Inc.
18-mc Analogs as Potential Anti-addictive Agents
Pingitore, Regina A. --- Hines VA Hospital
Effects of Tryptophan Depletion on Cigarette Cravings
Pintar, John --- UMDNJ/Robert W. Johnson Medical School
Prenatal Differentiation of the Pituitary Gland
Piomelli, Daniele --- University of California, Irvine
Characterization of Anandamide Transport in Brain
Platt, Jerome J. --- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Substance Use and the Transition from Welfare to Work
Prokai, Laszlo --- University of Florida
Neuropeptide Ff Antagonists for Treating Opiate Abuse
Pugatch, David --- Rhode Island Hospital
HIV Testing among Adolescents with Substance Abuse
Roehrs, Timothy A. --- CWRU Henry Ford Health Sciences Center
Sleepiness and the Reinforcing Effect of Methylphenidate
Rounsaville, Bruce J. --- Yale University/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Diagnosis & Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Rowlett, James K. --- Harvard Medical School
Anxiolytic Effects and Abuse of Benzodiazepine Receptor Ligands
Schechter, Martin --- University of British Columbia
Role of Syringe Access & Risk Factors on HIV Transmission
Schenk, James O. --- Washington State University
Drugs of Abuse and Bidirectional Transport of Dopamine
Schmitz, Joy M. --- University of Texas at Houston
Prevention of Smoking Relapse in Women
Schoenbaum, Ellie E. --- Montefiore Medical Center
HIV Therapy Adherence and Viral Resistance in Drug Users
Schumacher, Joseph E. --- University of Alabama
Cost Effectiveness of Drug Treatment for Homeless
Shorter, Simon --- Adeza Biomedical Corporation
HLA-G Test for Rupture of Membranes and Preterm Delivery
Shumsky, Jed S. --- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Prenatal Cocaine Exposure & Seizure Susceptibility
Singer, Lynn Twarog --- Rainbow Babies & Childrens Hospital
Cocaine Exposed Infants and Their Mothers
Singer, Merrill --- Hispanic Health Council
Longitudinal Study of AIDS Risk among Drug Users
Singhal, Pravin C. --- Long Island Jewish Medical Center
HIV-Associated Nephropathy in Drug Addicts
Slesnick, Natasha --- University of New Mexico
Treatment Outcome for Runaway Adolescents
Song, Zhao-hui --- Texas A & M University
Structure and Function of CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor
Spealman, Roger D. --- New England Regional Primate Research Center
Primate Model of Speedball Abuse: Mechanisms & Treatment
Stewart, Jane --- Concordia University
Neurobiology of Relapse Induced by Stress and Drugs
Stinchcomb, Audra L. --- Albany College of Pharmacy
Naltrexone Prodrugs for Transdermal Delivery
Stormshak, Elizabeth A. --- Counseling Psychology Program
High-Risk Siblings as Predictors of Substance Use
Stranger, Catherine --- University of Vermont
Outcomes for Children of Drug Abusers: a Multisite Study
Sullivan, Jane M. --- Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Cannabinoid Effects on Synaptic Function and Plasticity
Swisher, John D. --- Pennsylvania State University
Life Skills Infusion/Prevention in Rural Junior High
Szeto, Hazel H. --- Cornell University Medical College
Pharmacokinetics and Fetal Exposure to Narcotics
Tecott, Laurence --- University of California, San Francisco
Serotonin 5HT2c Receptors and the Actions of Cocaine
Thomas, Mary L. --- University of Texas
Cocaine, Sex Hormones & 5-HT: Molecular & Behavioral Analyses
Toga, Arthur W. --- UCLA School of Medicine
A Conference on Brain Mapping Addiction Neurobiology
Turner, Barbara J. --- Jefferson Medical College
Medical & Substance Abuse Care for HIV+ Drug Users
Valentine, James D. --- Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation
Stress & Reinstatement of Nicotine-Seeking Behavior
Vazquez, Delia M. --- University of Michigan
Postnatal Stress: HPA Axis and Vulnerability to Drug Use
Waterhouse, Barry D. --- Allegheny University of Health Sciences
Cocaine Modulation of Sensory Neuron Function
Weerts, Elise M. --- Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus
Vocalizations: A Model of Subjective Drug Effects
Welch, Sandra P. --- Virginia Commonwealth University
Career Development in Drug Abuse Research
Wells, Elizabeth A. --- University of Washington
Stages of Change and Cocaine Treatment
West, Charles H. --- Emory University/Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Amphetamine Sensitization & Response to Natural Rewards
West, James B. --- Bend Research, Inc.
Technology for Generation of Drug-Candidate Libraries
West, Mark O. --- Rutgers/State University of New Jersey
Cocaine Self-Administration Mesolimbic Neurophysiology
Wilkins, Diana G. --- University of Utah -- Center for Human Toxicology
Hair Analysis to Monitor Drug Abuse Treatments
Winters, Ken C. --- University of Minnesota -- Research & Technology Transfer Adm.
Assessment and Treatment of Adolescent Drug Abusers
Woodward, Erna J. --- Biographics, Inc.
System to Test Medications Developed to Treat Drug Abuse
Zwaan, Rolf A. --- Florida State University
Smoking Addiction and Higher-Level Cognitive Processes
Review Activities
Staff Development
NIDA's Office of Extramural Program Review (OEPR) continues active involvement in providing staff training for NIDA and other NIH staff. In June, Dr. Teresa Levitin, Director, OEPR, presented at two sessions that were sponsored by the NIH Office of Extramural Research to address the implementation of the new policy on inclusion of children in research. These were attended by staff from many NIH Institutes, and Dr. Levitin addressed how the new policy will be implemented in review groups.
In July, Dr. William C. Grace, Deputy Director, OEPR, spoke on the various roles of the review administrator in extramural administration and facilitated case studies as part of the core training for new NIH employees provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research.
Meetings/Conferences
At a grant writing workshop at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in Toronto in June, Dr. Teresa Levitin presented on the Role of the Scientific Review Administrator in the peer review process. She gave a similar presentation to the Society of Biological Psychiatry convention in May and at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) meeting in Scottsdale in June, where she also led a mock Scientific Review Group meeting. Dr. Rita Liu co-presented a CPDD workshop titled "Merger of NIDA Science into the NIH Center for Scientific Review."
Dr. Mark Swieter presented an Update on Fellowship Review Procedures at the Third Annual NIDA Training Directors' Meeting held in Bethesda in May.
For additional information about NIDA send e-mail to Information@nida.nih.gov
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