Chief's Welcome

As we begin to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying addictive behaviors, it becomes increasingly important to translate this new knowledge into clinical practice.  Our Division is in the forefront of understanding the brain disruptions caused by chronic drug use, from the molecular and cellular changes in the neural networks of animals self-administering drugs to altered brain receptors in addicted patients.  Our laboratory research is coupled with clinical investigations of new treatments for the addictions, conducted in close collaboration with community treatment programs in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.  Through all steps of the process, we are training our future investigators and clinicians in state-of-the-art research methods and treatment approaches.  Our website offers easy access to our faculty and their research, a description of our clinical trials, training opportunities within the Division, and links to our community collaborators. 

Latest News

 •       The Office of Disparity and the NIDA Clinical Trials Network has awarded Dr. Carlos Tirado funding to assess the epidemiology of “cheese” heroin in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

•       Dr. Bryon Adinoff has been awarded a grant by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study the relationship between the neural deficits associated with impulsive behaviors with relapse to cocaine addiction.

•       Dr. Danielle Graham, in the laboratory of Dr. David Self, has found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of cocaine addiction (Nature Neuroscience, 10:1029-1037, 2007)