CPDD 78th Annual Scientific Meeting Program

SYMPOSIA
Monday, June 13
V. Identifying system-level biomarkers of substance abuse using functional
connectivity of the brain
Chairs: Margaret Gnegy and John Traynor
Substance abuse is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder manifested as dysregulations
of multiple cognitive and affective constructs. Recent advances in neuroimaging have
shown promise in identifying system-level biomarkers that are closely associated with
the behavioral phenotype and may be potentially useful for individualized treatment
and predicting therapeutic outcome. In particular, brain functional connectivity,
derived from the synchronized fluctuations of the resting-state functional MRI signal
between brain regions, has undergone rapid technological developments and
consequently as a noninvasive imaging tool to assess neuroplasticity of brain circuits
and networks in various neuropsychiatric disorders. This symposium will present the
latest developments in identifying imaging biomarkers of substance use disorders
using functional connectivity. Recent data will be presented using a number of
analytical approaches to understand the circuitry underlying the abuse profile of
cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and nicotine. These developments will be reviewed in light
of emerging theory related to drug-induced imbalance of neuronal circuits. In addition,
the potential value of imaging biomarkers will be discussed as therapeutic targets; in
the prediction of group or subgroup membership and monitoring of treatment
outcomes; and in translational and “back-translational” studies in preclinical models.
VI.
Intracellular signaling molecules as targets for stimulant abuse treatment
Chairs: Heather Kimmel and Paul W. Czoty
Epidemiological data suggests that poly-substance use, the use of more than one drug
over a period of time, is common; yet basic and clinical research typically examine the
consequences of a single drug at a time. Polysubstance users have an increased risk of
developing comorbid psychiatric and other health conditions. Current prevention and
treatment approaches are under-developed, indicating a need to understand the
antecedent and consequential circumstances surrounding polysubstance use. This
symposium will showcase current epidemiological, clinical, and basic research findings
describing current polysubstance use trends and subsequent health outcomes. We will
describe recent polysubstance use findings from two different nationally
representative cross-sectional studies of youth and adults. Building upon these crosssectional
data, we will discuss novel longitudinal research tracking polysubstance use
from adolescence through young adulthood. A clinical perspective will be provided,
presenting neuroimaging and neurocognitive data to demonstrate differing cognitive
outcomes in alcohol dependent individuals who also use stimulants compared to
alcoholics that do not use stimulants. Data will demonstrate that serial alcohol and
methamphetamine administration in rodents exacerbates the neurotoxic effects of
either drug alone. The discussion will integrate these data to discuss how these
findings inform each other. Bringing these diverse perspectives together will facilitate
discussions of how epidemiological data can inform basic animal and clinical research
and, conversely, how findings from basic and clinical research can guide
epidemiological research.