Strategic Direction:
Promote basic research that applies state-of-the-art science and technologies to advance our understanding of the mechanisms mediating drug abuse and addiction:
Goal 1: Validate targets and develop ligands to accelerate pharmacotherapy for drug addiction.
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Isolate target receptors and endogenous ligands
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Validate and/or test targets
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Develop molecular entities, ligands and probes
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Develop and validate behavioral screens to identify or predict treatment response
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Support computational modeling for target validation and ligand development
Goal 2: Determine the molecular and cellular basis of vulnerability to addiction.
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Identify genes and genetic variations
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Identify epigenetic and non-coding regulators of gene expression
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Use systems approaches to understand molecular and cellular interactions
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Identify molecular determinants of HIV latency modified by drugs of abuse
Goal 3: Identify the neural circuits underlying drug addiction and their functional properties.
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Determine the interactions of drug exposure , development, and microenvironment in shaping neural circuits
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Map primary and compensatory connections and functional adaptations in neural circuits that arise from repeated intermittent exposure to and withdrawal from abused drugs
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Identify the drug-related glia-neuronal adaptations that arise from repeated intermittent exposure to and withdrawal from drugs
Goal 4: Identify behavioral processes that underlie drug abuse and addiction.
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Identify how environmental variables and behavioral phenotypes influence risk and protection
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Develop paradigms that model the complexity of human addiction
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Develop interventions to change behavioral trajectories of abuse and addiction
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Examine neurobiological correlates and mechanisms of abuse-related behaviors
Goal 5: Promote cross-cutting NIDA priorities.
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HIV/drug abuse interactions
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Chronic pain
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Sex/gender differences
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Enhance training and career development opportunities
Evaluation:
We assume the responsibility of reporting annually (May/June):
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Number of grants funded that support each of the goals
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List of publications that address each of the goals
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Summary of significant findings and activities that mark progress toward the goals