E-news

Number 12, October 2006

HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT FELLOWS

DISCA-Supported Research Suggests Modafinal May Block Cocaine Effects
Preliminary data from studies conducted by DISCA scientist Dr. Raka Jain, India, and Dr. Michael Baumann, NIDA Intramural Research Program (IRP) Clinical Psychopharmacology Section, suggests that modafinil is a dopamine (DA) uptake blocker capable of increasing extracellular DA in the brain in vivo. Drs. Jain, Baumann, and Richard B. Rothman are continuing dose-response studies to compare the in vivo neurochemical effects of modafinil with cocaine. Additional studies are examining whether modafinil will prevent the DA-depleting action of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

DISCA Research Team Examines Role of Methamphetamine in Hyperthermia and Brain Edema
Research conducted by DISCA scientist Dr. Hari S. Sharma, Sweden, and Dr. Eugene A. Kiyatkin, Cellular Neurophysiology Section, NIDA IRP, may help to explain the role of methamphetamine (METH)-induced hyperthermia in drug-induced neurotoxicity and disruption of the brain-blood barrier (BBB) as well as to establish the relationships between brain hyperthermia and leakage of BBB as primary mechanisms underlying brain edema. Their experiments suggest that modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission with a 5-HT2c agonist may attenuate METH-induced hyperthermia and possible neurotoxicity. The researchers also observed that drugs influencing serotonin neurotransmission can either enhance or decrease METH-induced body temperature in rats, which allows them to study METH- induced neurotoxicity in relation to body temperature changes. Work is in progress in Dr. Sharma's laboratory at Sweden's Uppsala University to determine whether a reduction in body temperature caused by these drugs after METH administration is associated with less neurotoxicity and/or BBB disruption to albumin.

HHH Fellows Meet with NIDA, State Department Officials
Officials from NIDA, the U.S. Department of State, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, welcomed the 2006-2007 Hubert H. Humphrey Drug Abuse Research Fellows. The Hubert H. Humphrey Drug Abuse Research Fellowship Program includes academic study at VCU; a professional affiliation with a NIDA-funded scientist; participation in the NIDA International Forum, to be held June 15-18, 2007, in Quebec City, Canada; and additional professional development activities sponsored by NIDA and the State Department. NIDA International Program Director Dr. Steven W. Gust and Dr. Judith Babbitts, Institute of International Education, met with the HHH Fellows in August. In September, NIDA International Program Analyst Dale Weiss and Dr. Babbitts met with VCU officials as well as with each Fellow individually to help the Fellows set objectives and begin planning their professional affiliations. NIDA also demonstrated the NIDA International Virtual Collaboratory, an online resource under development to promote information sharing and support collaborative international research.