Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Carleton University
$40,000.00
Memory and motivation: an exploration of the synaptic and systems interactions underlying the formation and extinction of addictive memories
FY 2009-10
Summary
In Canada, substance abuse imparts a measurable burden on society and family life in part as a result of its devastating effects on premature death and disability. In addition, there is a significant strain on the economy due to its impact on the health care and criminal justice systems. According to a Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse survey, the overall social cost of substance abuse in Canada is estimated to be $39.8 billion, reflecting a cost of over $1,000 to every living person in Canada each year. Substance abuse is a problem that must be addressed on all fronts. Potential solutions to problems associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs must be as subtle and diverse as the problems themselves and the people they affect. Substance abuse is a complex disorder which involves the interaction of environmental factors, multiple brain regions and a vast array of neurochemical factors that are believed to increase the susceptibility of an individual to addictive behavior. The present work attempts to shed some light on these subtleties and complexities. With the acquisition of state-of-the art equipment to fully operate 12 operant chambers (i.e., 'Skinner' boxes), the experiments laid out in this proposal are set to determine the brain mechanisms that undergo substantial changes during the development, maintenance and termination of addictive-like behaviors, some of which may underlie substance abuse problems. During the course of this research, preclinical studies using rats will be utilized to more fully understand the neurochemical and structural changes in the brain that underlie addiction. The experiments will study all levels of brain function from neurochemicals and molecules, through brain cells, to the whole brain and the behaving organism. These studies will provide a foundation for a clearer understanding of the multiple neural components underlying the substance abuse and addiction process and lead to the development of treatments to curtail these devastating disorders.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
390574-2010
Name nom
Holahan, Matthew
Department département
Psychology
Organization id
23
Institution établissement
Carleton University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
40000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1502
Committee name en
Biological Systems and Functions
Committee name fr
Systèmes et fonctions biologiques
Area of application code
1201
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Life sciences (including biotechnology)
Area of application fr
Sciences de la vie (y compris biotechnologie)
Research subject code
6404
Research subject group en
Life sciences research related to human health and disease
Research subject group fr
Sciences de la vie liées à la santé publique et aux maladies humaines
Research subject en
Pharmacology
Research subject fr
Pharmacologie
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Memory and motivation: an exploration of the synaptic and systems interactions underlying the formation and extinction of addictive memories
Keyword
NA
Application summary
In Canada, substance abuse imparts a measurable burden on society and family life in part as a result of its devastating effects on premature death and disability. In addition, there is a significant strain on the economy due to its impact on the health care and criminal justice systems. According to a Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse survey, the overall social cost of substance abuse in Canada is estimated to be $39.8 billion, reflecting a cost of over $1,000 to every living person in Canada each year. Substance abuse is a problem that must be addressed on all fronts. Potential solutions to problems associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs must be as subtle and diverse as the problems themselves and the people they affect. Substance abuse is a complex disorder which involves the interaction of environmental factors, multiple brain regions and a vast array of neurochemical factors that are believed to increase the susceptibility of an individual to addictive behavior. The present work attempts to shed some light on these subtleties and complexities. With the acquisition of state-of-the art equipment to fully operate 12 operant chambers (i.e., 'Skinner' boxes), the experiments laid out in this proposal are set to determine the brain mechanisms that undergo substantial changes during the development, maintenance and termination of addictive-like behaviors, some of which may underlie substance abuse problems. During the course of this research, preclinical studies using rats will be utilized to more fully understand the neurochemical and structural changes in the brain that underlie addiction. The experiments will study all levels of brain function from neurochemicals and molecules, through brain cells, to the whole brain and the behaving organism. These studies will provide a foundation for a clearer understanding of the multiple neural components underlying the substance abuse and addiction process and lead to the development of treatments to curtail these devastating disorders.
