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Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse
May, 2002


Program Activities

New NIDA PAs and RFAs

On February 5, 2002, NIDA issued a Notice entitled NIDA National Prevention Research Initiative (NNPRI): Community Multi-Site Prevention Trials (CMPT), RFA-DA-02-004 and Transdisciplinary Prevention Research Centers, RFA-DA-02-005 and Using Basic Science to Develop New Directions in Drug Abuse Prevention Research, RFA-DA-02-010 (NOT-DA-02-002). The Notice amends these three RFAs to specifically invite not only drug abuse prevention applications but also drug use-related HIV/AIDS prevention applications that focus on interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults at different levels of drug use and risk. Special populations of interest include youth with co-morbid mental health problems, homeless youth, youth experiencing academic failure or who have dropped out of school, youth diagnosed as HIV positive, and youth in foster care. Applications may include interventions delivered in diverse contexts, such as schools, primary health care, juvenile justice facilities, mental health facilities, religious organizations, community organizations, etc.

On February 6, 2002, NIDA issued a Notice entitled Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support International Collaborative Research on Drug Abuse (NOT-DA-02-003). Funding for international administrative supplements to existing NIDA-supported research projects will take advantage of unique opportunities to support research in all areas of drug-abuse science. Preference will be given to projects that are collaboratively funded by an agency of the host country. Only existing R01 and R21 grants supported by NIDA with at least one year of funding remaining at the time of the supplemental award are eligible for support under this program. Supplements may be requested for up to 2 years of support, but extend no longer than the parent grant, with funding beginning no later than September 30, 2002.

On February 5, 2002, NIDA issued a Program Announcement entitled Drug Abuse Dissertation Research: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Services, and Women and Gender Differences (PA-02-055). The purpose of this PA is to announce the availability of small grants (R03) to support drug abuse doctoral dissertation research in epidemiology, prevention, treatment, services and women and gender differences where there is a significant need for new investigators. Grant support is designed to aid the research of new investigators and to encourage doctoral candidates from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to conduct research in these areas of interest to NIDA. It is hoped that this program will ultimately facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of drug abuse research. This PA supercedes PA-98-109, published September 24, 1998.

On February 6, 2002, NIDA issued a Program Announcement entitled Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (PAR-02-058). This PA invites applications for the I/START program, a new program developed by NIDA to foster new investigators in areas of brain imaging and drug abuse research. The application of brain imaging has become widespread. However, it is sometimes difficult for new investigators to obtain independent funding in this area. This award will allow for the design and collection of "proof of concept" brain imaging data that can then be used in the transition to more extensive research proposals. The I/START program uses a brief application form and a rapid review process to ensure expedited funding decisions. Funding is limited to direct costs for one year of up to $150,000 and is non-renewable.

On March 4, 2002, NIDA issued a Program Announcement entitled Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (PA-02-070). This PA replaces, in its entirety, the Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (SEDAPA), PAR-99-076, published in the NIH Guide on March 23, 1999. The purpose of the SEDAPA Program is to fund the development and evaluation of innovative model programs and materials for enhancing knowledge and understanding of neuroscience and the biology of drug abuse and addiction among K-12 students, the general public, health care practitioners, and other groups. The award provides support for the formation of partnerships between scientists and educators, media experts, community leaders, and other interested organizations for the development and evaluation of programs and materials that will enhance knowledge and understanding of science related to drug abuse. The intended focus is on topics not well addressed in existing efforts by educational, community or media activities.

On March 18, 2002, NIDA issued a Program Announcement entitled Neuroscience Research on Drug Addiction (PA-02-085). The intent of this program announcement is to continue to encourage investigator interest in the wide range of neuroscience research relevant to drug abuse, drug dependence, and drug addiction. Of particular interest are new areas of neuroscience that may be applied to questions of drug abuse and addiction. This PA replaces PA-99-033 published December 23, 1998.

On April 3, 2002, NIDA issued a Program Announcement entitled Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Smoked Drugs of Abuse (PA-02-095). The purpose of this PA is to encourage research that will further the understanding of the chemical composition of smoked drugs of abuse, and the resulting pharmacological and toxicological effects associated with such exposure.

On February 4, 2002, NIDA issued an RFA entitled National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Services Research System (RFA-02-011). Through this RFA, NIDA invites cooperative agreement applications to participate in the National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Research System (CJ-DATS). Awardees will participate in coordinated multisite studies to conduct rigorous scientific research with offender populations across multiple settings including jails, prisons and in the community. The goal of this cooperative research program is to establish and utilize a research infrastructure to develop and test research-based systems-level models that integrate public health and public safety approaches for criminal justice-involved individuals with addictive disorders. Letter of Intent Receipt Date for this RFA is April 12, 2002; Application Receipt Date is May 13, 2002.


PAs and RFAs Issued With Other NIH Components/Agencies

On February 21, 2002, NIDA issued a Notice entitled Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins (PA-02-060) - Addendum (NOT-DA-02-004). This addendum is to program announcement (PA) PA-02-060, which was released in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on February 11, 2002. This PA is intended to support research on the structure of membrane proteins at atomic resolution. This addendum adds the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as a participating institute in this program announcement.

On March 21, 2002, NIDA issued a Notice entitled Innovative Technologies for Enhancing Function for Individuals with Disabilities - PA-02-071 - Addendum (NOT-DA-02-006). The purpose of this notice is to add the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as a participating institute in this program announcement. PA-02-071 was released on March 4, 2002. The goal of this program announcement is to encourage basic research on the structures of membrane proteins at atomic resolution.

On January 16, 2002, NIDA, and several other NIH components issued a Program Announcement entitled Identifying Functional Links between the Immune System and Brain Function Including Behavior (PA-02-045). The purpose of this PA is to request research grant applications to study neuroimmune molecules and mechanisms involved in regulating normal and pathological central nervous system (CNS) function. This PA was developed as a response to recommendations produced at two workshops: "Strategies for Identifying Functional Links Between the Immune System, Brain Function, and Behavior" and "Research Roundtable on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS)". This PA supercedes PA-93-009 published October 23, 1992.

On January 22, 2002, NIDA, in collaboration with a number of other NIH components, issued a Program Announcement entitled Dissertation Research Grants for Underrepresented Minorities in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics Research (PA-02-048). The purpose of this PA is to stimulate and encourage underrepresented minority doctoral candidates from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to conduct research related to the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genetics, genomics, and gene-environment interaction research. It is hoped that this program will facilitate the entry of promising new minority investigators into the field of ELSI research.

On February 12, 2002, NIDA with NIMH, issued a Program Announcement entitled Translational Research Grants in Behavioral Science (PA-02-061). The purpose of this program announcement is to encourage the development of collaborative partnerships between scientists who study basic behavioral processes and those who study the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and behavioral disorders (including drug abuse and addiction) and the delivery of services to those suffering from these disorders.

On February 12, 2002, NIDA with NIMH, issued a Program Announcement entitled Building Translational Research in Behavioral Science (PAR-02-062). The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute on Drub Abuse (NIDA) seek to encourage the development of collaborative partnerships between scientists who study basic behavioral processes and those who study the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and behavioral disorders (including drug abuse and addiction) and the delivery of services to those suffering from those disorders.

On March 7, 2002, NIDA, in collaboration with numerous other NIH components, issued a Program Announcement entitled Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (PA-02-072). The goal of this PA is to encourage research that will improve the quality and scientific power of data collected in the behavioral and social sciences, relevant to the mission of the NIH Institutes and Centers. Research that addresses methodology and measurement issues in diverse populations; issues in studying sensitive behaviors; issues of ethics in research; issues related to confidential data and the protection of research subjects; and issues in developing multidisciplinary, multimethod and multilevel approaches to behavioral and social science research is particularly encouraged.

On March 12, 2002, NIDA, in collaboration with several other NIH components, issued a Program Announcement entitled Innovative Toxicology Models: SBIR/STTR (PA-02-075). This PA encourages the development, standardization, and validation of new and innovative assays that determine or predict specific organ toxicities (e.g., hematotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, bladder toxicity, neurotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity and endocrine toxicity, including pancreatic beta cell toxicity) as well as new methodology for high throughput toxicity screening that involves the use of molecular endpoints, computer modeling, proteomics and genomics. The development of these toxicity assays and their incorporation early in the development process would assist in the evaluation and prediction of human sensitivity and allow for more cost efficient evaluations of numerous analogs prior to the selection of the ultimate drug development candidate.

On March 11, 2002, NIDA, in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging, issued a Program Announcement entitled Mentored Clinical Scientists Development Program Award (K12 AWARD) (PAR-02-076). This PA replaces, in its entirety, the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award (MCSDPA) (PA-95-054), published in the NIH Guide on April 28, 1995. This MCSDPA is an award to an educational institution or professional organization to support career development experiences for clinicians leading to research independence. Under this award, newly trained clinicians are to be selected and appointed to this program by the grantee institution. In other respects, the research experience of the research candidates selected for support under this award should resemble those supported by the individual Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) or the Mentored Patient-Oriented Career Development Award (K23).

On March 5, 2002, NIDA, in conjuction with numerous other NIH components, issued an RFA entitled Human Subjects Research Enhancements Program (OD-02-003). The purpose of this initiative is to provide short-term interim support for institutional activities that will strengthen oversight of human subjects research at institutions that will receive significant NIH support for clinical research. This is a one-time solicitation. Application Receipt Date for this RFA is May 7, 2002.

On March 26, 2002, NIDA, along with a number of other NIH components, issued an RFA entitled Large-Scale Genotyping for the Haplotype Map of the Human Genome (RFA-HG-02-005). The purpose of this RFA is to develop a haplotype map of the human genome. This RFA solicits cooperative agreement applications for the large-scale genotyping across the genome of samples from three populations. The data will be used to develop a map of the haplotype patterns and of the genetic variants that are most informative for detecting these patterns. Letter of Intent Receipt Date for this RFA is April 25, 2002; Application Receipt Date is May 29, 2002.

On March 29, 2002, NIDA, along with NIMH and NINDS, issued an RFA entitled Viral Genetics in HIV/CNS Disease: Implications for Pathogenesis (RFA-MH-02-012). The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications for grants to support studies focused on understanding the molecular and viral genetic factors controlling HIV-1 neuropathogenesis in the setting of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). The objective of this cooperative effort is to foster investigations utilizing genetic approaches to study mechanisms of HIV-1 induced nervous system disease with emphasis on trafficking, cell type specific and regional compartmentalization, viral evolution, functional diversity, establishment of latent reservoirs and the emergence of drug resistance in the central nervous system (CNS) versus other body compartments. Letter of Intent Receipt Date for this RFA is May 15, 2002; Application Receipt Date is June 12, 2002.


Other Program Activities

CTN Update

For protocols CTN 0001 - 0007, over 1,000 patients have been enrolled in these studies. A Spanish version of protocol CTN 0004 is being developed for Spanish only studies throughout the CTN. Five community treatment programs in five nodes have signed up for this study. Protocols CTN 0010 (Buprenorphine/Naloxone Facilitated Rehabilitation for Opioid Dependent Adolescents/Young Adults) and CTN 0011 (A Feasibility Study of a Telephone Enhancement Procedure - TELE - to Improve Participation in Continuing Care Activities) have received approval and will begin enrollment this summer. Three new protocols are in the final stages of approval before being launched in the CTN. These are CTN 0008 (Baseline Survey), CTN 0009 (Smoking Cessation Treatment in Substance Abuse Programs), and CTN 0012 (Infections Screening in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs). The third wave of protocols has been submitted. These protocols are in various stages of development and review and should be launched in the fall or winter of 2002. By the end of 2002, it is projected that twenty protocols will be actively enrolling patients throughout the CTN.


NIDA's New and Competing Grants Awarded Since February 2002

Amara, Susan G. -- Oregon Health and Science University
Molecular Studies of Catecholamine Transporters

Augustine, George J. -- Duke University
Dynamic Imaging of Synaptic Inhibition

Barr, Gordon A. -- New York State Psychiatric Institute
Opiate Withdrawal & Tolerance: Development & Plasticity

Bolshakov, Vadim -- Mc Lean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Synaptic Mechanisms of Cocaine Addiction

Bonci, Antonello -- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
Mechanisms of Cocaine Induced Long-Term Potentiation

Bowen, Scott E. -- Wayne State University
Self-Administration of Abused Inhalants In Mice

Caton, Carol L. -- New York State Psychiatric Institute
Service Needs In Early Psychosis and Drug Use

Cervone, Daniel -- University of Illinois at Chicago
A Social Cognitive Theory of Personality and Smoking

Chang, Sulie L. -- Seton Hall University
Morphine Actions on the Immune System

Commons, Kathryn G. -- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Emotion, Pain and Pain Control Circuits

Coviello, Donna M. -- University of Pennsylvania
Comprenhensive Employment Program for Methadone Patients

Cravatt, Benjamin F. -- Scripps Research Institute
Enzymes That Regulate Fatty Acid Amide Function in vivo

Cronmiller, Claire R. -- University of Virginia, Charlottesville
A New Experiment Model for Cocaine's Effects on Cells

Dalton, Madeline A. -- Dartmouth College
Bupropion To Prevent Postpartum Smoking Relapse

Davies, Huw M. -- State University of New York at Buffalo
Methylphenidate Analogs as Medications for Cocaine Abuse

Devi, Lakshmi A. -- New York University School of Medicine
Posttranslational Regulation of Opioid Receptors

Dewey, William L. -- Virginia Commonwealth University
Enkephalins: Neuropharmacology and Abuse Potential

Donahoe, Robert M. -- Emory University
AIDS and Opiates: A Monkey Model

Dow-Edwards, Diana L. -- Suny Downstate Medical Center
Gender-Specific Ontogenic Cocaine Effects: Neuroanatomy

Dunlap, Eloise E. -- National Development and Research Institutes
Marijuana/Blunts: Use, Subcultures and Markers

Ehrman, Ronald N. -- University of Pennsylvania
Demand Free Cognitive Measures of Smoking Status

Eissenberg, Thomas E. -- Virginia Commonwealth University
Drug Craving: Pharmacologic and Associative Influences

Eyler, Fonda D. -- University of Florida
Project Care (Cocaine Abuse In The Rural Environment)

Farb, David H. -- Boston University
Neuroactive Steroids, Dopamine and Cocaine Sensitization

Forrester, Janet E. -- Tufts University
Micronutrient Metabolism In HIV+ and HIV-Drug Users

France, Charles P. -- University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio
Discriminative Effects of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

French, Michael T. -- University of Miami
Utilization and Cost of Health Services By CDUs

Freudenberg, Nicholas -- Hunter College
Impact/HIV Intervention/Adolescent Males Leaving Jail

Froimowitz, Mark I. -- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences
Can Maintence Therapy Work For Cocaine Abuse?

Ghasemzadeh, M.B. -- Medical University of South Carolina
Glutamate Signaling and Drug Abuse

Hallfors, Denise D. -- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
HIV In Young Adulthood: Pathways and Prevention

Johnson, Bruce D. -- National Development and Research Institutes
Hard Drug Users and Operatives: Lifestyles and Consequences

Kaiyala, Karl J. -- University of Washington
Determinants of Tolerance To Nitrous Oxide Hypothermia

Kaminski, Norbert E. -- Michigan State University
CB1/CB2-Dependent and -Independent T Cell Modulation

Klein, Robert S. -- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Artherosclerosis/Bone Loss/Drug Use/HIV In Older Men

Koch, James E. -- University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Cannabinoid Antagonist Influences on Ingestive Behavior

Kuhar, Michael J. -- Emory University
Promoter Characterization of the CART Gene

Kusnecov, Alexander W. -- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
Reinforcing Efficacy of Cocaine In Genetically Altered

Lavin, Antonieta -- Medical University of South Carolina
Dopaminergic Modulation of Thalamocortical Circuits

Li, Shi-Jiang W. -- Medical College of Wisconsin
Roles of Orbitofrontal Cortex In Cocaine Abuse By fMRI

Lidow, Michael S. -- University of Maryland Baltimore Professional School
Effect of Cocaine on Cortical Development

Loh, Horace H. -- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Structural and Functional Studies of Mu Opioid Receptor

Luthar, Suniya S. -- Columbia University Teachers College
Maternal Drug Abuse Psychopathology and Child Adaptation

Makriyannis, Alexandros -- University of Connecticut, Storrs
Molecular Basis of Cannabinoid Acitivity

Margiotta, Joseph F. -- Medical College of Ohio at Toledo
Neuronal Acetylcholine Receptor Mechanisms

Marks, Michael J. -- University of Colorado at Boulder
Alpha Conotoxin Mii--
Selective Nicotinic Receptor Probe

Marmor, Michael -- New York University School of Medicine
Drug Abuse, Depression and Responses to HIV Counseling

Marshall, John F. -- University of California Irvine
Methamphetamine Abuse and Cortical Cell Injury

Mehler, Ernest L. -- Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York
Functional Properties of Protein Segments In Receptors

Melikian, Haley E. -- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
Trafficking and Regulation of Monoamine Transporters

Mello, Nancy K. -- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Cocaine and Polydrug Abuse: New Medication Strategies

Mierke, Dale F. -- Brown University
Drug Design: Glutamate Receptor Signaling

Nikulina, Ella M. -- New England Medical Center Hospitals
Mechanisms of Social Stress-Induced Drug Sensitization

O'Leary, Michael E. -- Thomas Jefferson University
Effects of Cocaine on Cardiac Ion Channels

Oswald, Robert E. -- Cornell University, Ithaca
Cocaine & Nicotine Action on CNS Acetylcholine Receptors

Price, David A. -- University of Florida
Modulation of Acid-Sensing Pain Receptors By Peptides

Quang, Lawrence S. -- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences
Enzyme & Receptor Antagonists of GHB, GBL and 1, 4-BD

Ramaswami, Mani -- University of Arizona
Identification of Drosophila Proteins Modified By Neural Activity

Ricaurte, George A. -- Johns Hopkins University
MDMA Neurotoxicity In Humans: Occurence and Consequences

Roth, Robert H. -- Yale University
Prenatal Cocaine Alters Cortical Dopamine Function

Simons, Jeffrey S. -- University of South Dakota
Mood and Substance Use Among College Students

Sim-Selley, Laura J. -- Virginia Commonwealth University
Brain Cannabinoid Signaling: Selectivity and Adaptation

Smith, Desmond J. -- University of California Los Angeles
Voxelation: A New Method For 3d Gene Expression Analysis

Soderstrom, Kenneth M. -- East Carolina University
Cannabinoid Effects on Development of a Learned Behavior

Steiner, Heinz -- Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School
Behavior/Drug Interactions In Striatal Gene Regulation

Stinchcomb, Audra L. -- University of Kentucky
Naltrexone Prodrugs for Transdermal Delivery

Stolerman, Ian P. -- University of London King's College, London
Comprehensive Database of Drug Discrimination Research

Teti, Laureen -- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Emotion Regulation of Children Exposed To Cocaine

Uz, Tolga -- University of Illinois at Chicago
5-HT N-Acetyltransferase and Cocaine-Induced Behaviors

Vanderah, Todd W. -- University of Arizona
RVM, CCK, Pain, and Opioid Tolerance

Vijayaraghavan, Sukumar -- University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Calcium Signaling By Hippocampal Nicotinic Receptors

Vlahov, David -- Johns Hopkins University
Natural History of HIV Infection in Injection Drug Users

Wenger, Galen R. -- University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock
Strain Differences In Response To Opioids

West, Mark O. -- Rutgers, The State University of NJ, New Brunswick
Cocaine Self-Administration: Incentive Motivation Firing

Williams, John T. -- Oregon Health & Science University
Chronic Morphine: Regulation of Ion Conductances

Wilson, Ira B. -- New England Medical Center Hospitals
Understanding and Improving Adherence in HIV Disease

Wilson, Mary A. -- Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Inc.
Abused NMDA Antagonists: Effects on Cortical Development

Woodward, John J. -- Medical University of South Carolina
Neural Actions of Toluene

Wynne, Clive D. -- University of Florida
Long-Term Effects of Amphetamine on Interval Timing


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