In pilot studies, we have found that specific genes are modulated by long-term alcohol intake in a discrete part of the brain that drives habitual behaviours. We will now repeat these studies in post-mortem brain tissue from human alcoholics and age-matched controls. In addition, we will further characterise the functional consequences of long-term alcohol intake within this specific brain region and test new approaches to reduce the urge to consume alcohol.
Substance abuse is a significant social and economic burden upon Australian societies and on societies around the world. Treatment remains problematic due to the multi-layer nature of the disease, difficulties with treatment compliance and less than ideal treatment regimes. The present study aims to improve treatments for alcohol and drug abuse using pre-clinical models to identify and characterize a new brain system implicated in drug-seeking.
Preclinical Validation Of Oxytocin As A Novel Treatment For Alcohol Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,624.00
Summary
Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight aga ....Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight against alcoholism.Read moreRead less
A New Therapeutic Target For Stress-related Relapse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,266.00
Summary
Relapse and hazardous drinking represent the most difficult clinical problems in treating patients with alcohol use disorders. We have identified a novel system in the brain for the regulation of stress-induced relapse. Successful completion of this project will indicate improved pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse. Given the scale and costs of substance abuse disorders, improved therapeutic approaches will have immediate and sustained impact.
Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the dr ....Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the drug on young developing brains is particularly evident. The information gained in the current project will serve to inform medical and scientific communities, government policy makers, as well as the broader Australian community. Read moreRead less
Toll Like Receptor signalling as a mediator of sex differences in pain, opioid and alcohol action. Brain immunology will be examined in this project to see if the signalling of a receptor called Toll Like Receptor 4 can explain sex differences in pain, and the action of pain killers and alcohol. These findings will have significant implications on the understanding of male and female brains, and will assist in the design of new drugs to treat brain and spinal cord diseases.
Extrasynaptic GABA-A Receptors As Novel Targets For -Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,946.00
Summary
GHB (known as Fantasy) is a curious substance. It is a drug of abuse, a therapy and occurs naturally in the brain. GHB targets brain proteins including the enigmatic _GHB receptor� which participates in the therapeutic benefits of GHB. Our research will determine whether the delta-containing GABA-A receptors are the elusive "GHB receptor". Uncovering the identity of the the elusive _GHB receptor� would be a major breakthrough in terms of our understanding of the therapeutic and recreational use ....GHB (known as Fantasy) is a curious substance. It is a drug of abuse, a therapy and occurs naturally in the brain. GHB targets brain proteins including the enigmatic _GHB receptor� which participates in the therapeutic benefits of GHB. Our research will determine whether the delta-containing GABA-A receptors are the elusive "GHB receptor". Uncovering the identity of the the elusive _GHB receptor� would be a major breakthrough in terms of our understanding of the therapeutic and recreational use of GHB and its action as a brain chemical.Read moreRead less
Determinants of Expression, Assembly and Function of the Noradrenaline Transporter. The noradrenaline transporter protein that is the focus of this project is important for mental health because it belongs to the family of proteins where psychostimulants, such as cocaine, and drugs used in the treatment of depression act. The project will lead to exciting advances in our understanding of how the structure of this protein controls its functions, and potentially to the design of better antidepress ....Determinants of Expression, Assembly and Function of the Noradrenaline Transporter. The noradrenaline transporter protein that is the focus of this project is important for mental health because it belongs to the family of proteins where psychostimulants, such as cocaine, and drugs used in the treatment of depression act. The project will lead to exciting advances in our understanding of how the structure of this protein controls its functions, and potentially to the design of better antidepressant drugs and to the design of drugs to prevent the effects of cocaine.Read moreRead less
Roadside saliva based testing for amphetamine-type stimulants in drivers: An evaluation of the relationship between positive drug tests and driving impairment after the consumption of methamphetamine and MDMA. Since the implementation of random saliva tests for illicit substances in Victoria, 1 in 48 drivers intercepted have tested positive to the presence of methamphetamine. Because amphetamines have been reported to increase road crash risk, this finding highlights a significant road traffic p ....Roadside saliva based testing for amphetamine-type stimulants in drivers: An evaluation of the relationship between positive drug tests and driving impairment after the consumption of methamphetamine and MDMA. Since the implementation of random saliva tests for illicit substances in Victoria, 1 in 48 drivers intercepted have tested positive to the presence of methamphetamine. Because amphetamines have been reported to increase road crash risk, this finding highlights a significant road traffic problem. The proposed research will provide information on the most accurate saliva drug test to detect the presence of methamphetamine and MDMA in drivers, and will also provide data on the appropriate amphetamine cut-off level that relates to driving impairment. Accurate drug detection measures will result in better detection of drivers impaired by amphetamines, and in turn deter drivers from driving after consuming amphetamines.
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