The Division on Addiction encompasses multiple laboratories performing preclinical and clinical studies in the addictions. These studies span addictive disorders ranging from substances of abuse (including cocaine, amphetamine, opioids, and alcohol) to natural rewarding substances (including highly palatable foods and, more recently, UV light in tanners). By utilizing cross-translational approaches to inform our preclinical and clinical laboratories, our Division is able to capitalize on their mutual strengths and incorporate shared approaches from molecular to treatment outcome studies.
Basic science studies in our Division begin with the investigation of molecular and cellular adaptations that follow the chronic administration of substances (Dr. Chris Cowan), the alterations in adult neurogenesis (the development of new neurons in the adult brain) that occur in response to persistent drug exposure (Dr. Amelia Eisch), and the role of circadian genes (such as CLOCK genes) in the rewarding properties of addictive drugs (Dr. Colleen McClung). A novel animal model of reward, using the Drosophila melanogaster fly, has been developed by Dr. Adrian Rothenfluh to investigate the molecular underpinnings of reward. The role of appetitive peptides in obesity and the relationship between the mesolimbic reward system, stress, and the reinforcing effects of food are being studied by Dr. Jeffrey Zigman and Dr. Michael Lutter, respectively. Dr. Self uses a combination of neurobiological and behavioral measures to understand the underlying neuroreceptor processes involved in escalating drug consumption, whereas Dr. Don Cooper incorporates additional electrophysiological techniques to describe alterations in neuronal impulse activity induced by psychostimulant drugs.
Clinical laboratory studies bridge from clinical laboratory studies to large scale epidemiological and multi-site clinical studies. Uma Rao, M.D. uses a complex combination of behavioral, personality, cognitive and neuroimaging measures to assess the risk factors for kids at high risk for the development of addiction problems. Similar techniques, including neuroimaging and neuroendocrine probes, are used by Bryon Adinoff, M.D., to explore the neurobiologic changes that may predict future relapse in addicted patients. The Texas Node of the Clinical Trials Network is part of a nationwide effort to develop and implement multi-site pharmacologic and behavioral studies for the treatment of addictive disorders. As part of this effort, Carlos Tirado, M.D., is assessing the impact of cheese heroin upon adolescents in the Dallas area and Madhukar Trivedi is launching a large, multi-center treatment study evaluating the role of aerobic exercise as an augmentation for standard treatment in stimulant-dependent patients. Both pharmacological and psychosocial approaches for substance abuse disorders are being studied: Sherwood Brown, M.D., Ph.D., utilizes novel medications to treat patients with both bipolar disease and cocaine or alcohol dependence, and Wayne Denton PhD., is exploring the effectiveness of couples therapy for patients in early remission from alcohol and drug addiction. Arthur Westover, M.D. is assessing the pathological impact, particularly cardiovascular sequelae, of methamphetamine and amphetamine use, abuse, and dependence through innovative epidemiological methodologies.
ACTIVE RESEARCH STUDIES
Addictive Disorders Laboratory (Adinoff)
Adolescent Mood and Addictive Disorders Research Program (Rao)
The Laboratory of Neurogenesis and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Eisch)
Family Studies Center (Denton)
Laboratory of Appetitive Peptides (Zigman)
Psychiatry and Metabolism Research Program (Lutter)
The Laboratory of Biological Rhythms and Psychiatric Disorders (McClung)
Mood Disorders Research Program and Clinic (Trivedi)
Neurobiology of Drug Self-administration and Relapse (Self)
Psychoneuroendocrine Research Program (Brown)
Rothenfluh Lab (Rothenfluh)
Addictive Disorders Laboratory (Adinoff)
Impulsivity, Neural Deficits, and Cocaine Relapse
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Bryon Adinoff, M.D.
Stress, HPA Axis Dysfunction, and Relapse in Alcoholism
Funding Agency: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA)
PI: Bryon Adinoff, M.D.
Psychiatrist Research Education & Training in Drug Abuse
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Bryon Adinoff, M.D.
Trauma, Stress, and Persistence of HPA Axis Dysregulation in Alcoholism
Funding Agency: Department of Veteran Affairs
PI: Bryon Adinoff, M.D.
Adolescent Mood and Addictive Disorders Research Program (Rao)
Markers of Risk for Nicotine Dependence in Youngsters
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Neuronal Risk Markers for Nicotine Dependence in Youth
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Stress Response and Smoking Cessation in Depressed Youth
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Stress and Risk for Substance Abuse in Adolescents
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Risk for Substance Abuse in Depressed Adolescents
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Treatment Prediction in Adolescent and Adult Depression
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Uma Rao, M.D.
Clinical Trials Network (Adinoff)
Clinical Trials Network: Texas Node
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Bryon Adinoff, M.D.
Osmotic-Release Methylphenidate (OROS MPH) for ADHD in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders (CTN 0028)
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Site PI:Kathie Trello-Reishel, M.D.
Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12-Step (STAGE-12): Evaluation of a Combined Individual-Group Intervention to Reduce Stimulant and Other Drug Use by Increasing 12-Step Involvement (CTN 0031)
Texas Node Site: Nexus Recovery Center
Site PI: Cindy Seamans, Ph.D.
Epidemiologic and Ethnographic Survey of “Cheese” Heroin use Among Latino Adolescents in Dallas County (CTN0036)
Site PI: Carlos Tirado, M.D., M.P.H.
The Laboratory of Neurogenesis and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Eisch)
New Horizons in Adult Neurogenesis
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Amelia Eisch, Ph.D.
Regulation of adult neurogenesis by opiates
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Amelia Eisch, Ph.D.
Cdk5 and adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Amelia Eisch, Ph.D.
Basic Science Training Program in Drug Abuse
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Amelia Eisch, Ph.D.
Family Studies Center (Denton)
Couple Therapy and Pharmacotherapy for Major
Depression
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Wayne Denton, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Appetitive Peptides (Zigman)
Ghrelin and Reward
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Jeffrey Zigman, M.D., Ph.D.
Psychiatry and Metabolism Research Program (Lutter)
Melanocortin Signaling in Depression
Funding Agency: National institute of Mental Health
PI: Michael Lutter, M.D., Ph.D.
The Laboratory of Biological Rhythms and Psychiatric Disorders (McClung)
Role of Circadian Genes in Drug Addiction
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Role of The Circadian Clock in the Development and
Treatment of Mood Disorders
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Circadian Regulation of Dopaminergic Activity and
Restless Legs Syndrome
Funding Agency: National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Regulation of Manic Behavior and Dopaminergic Activity
by CLOCK
Funding Agency: National Alliance For Research on
Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Neural Substrates of Appetitive Behavior in Mood and
Motivation
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
Co-Investigator: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
The role of CLOCK and CCK in the development and
treatment of mania
Funding Agency: The McKnight Foundation
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Addiction-like Behavior in Models of Mood Disorders:
Role of CLOCK and NPAS2
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Circadian Rhythms in the Aetiology of Bipolar Disorder:
Investigation of the Role of GSK3b in the Mania-like
Phenotype of Clock Mutant Mice
Funding Agency: Glaxosmithkline
PI: Colleen McClung, Ph.D.
Mood Disorders Research Program and Clinic (Trivedi)
Computerized Decision Support System for Depression
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D.
Using Information Technology to Provide Measurement Based Care for Chronic Illness
Funding Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
PI: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D.
Mood Disorders Clinical Intervention Training Program
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D.
REVAMP Follow-Up
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D.
Psychoneuroendocrine Research Program (Brown)
Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Dependence
Funding Agency: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
PI: E. Sherwood Brown, M.D.
Citicoline for Bipolar Disorder and Cocaine Dependence
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: E. Sherwood Brown, M.D.
Development of a Model to Examine Corticosteroid Effects on the Hippocampus
Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
PI: E. Sherwood Brown, M.D.
Neurobiology of Drug Self-administration and Relapse (Self)
Mechanisms of Altered Dopamine Signaling in Cocaine Addiction
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: David Self, Ph.D.
VTA Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors in Cocaine Addiction
Funding Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
PI: David Self, Ph.D.
PUBLICATIONS
