The description below is from the R01 veresion of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA).
The anatomical and neurochemical effects of drugs of abuse on astrocyte function, astrocytic network communication and astrocyte-neuron interactions are poorly understood. Therefore, the goal of this FOA is to stimulate basic research that will enhance the understanding of the consequences of drugs with abuse potential on astrocyte function, astrocyte-neuronal interactions and synaptic plasticity within the nervous system. Research projects from a broad range of scientific disciplines, using genetic, molecular, cellular or systems levels of analysis are encouraged. Applications that are not directly focusing on astrocyte functions but are related to glia-regulated neural plasticity engaged by substance abuse may consider submitting to Extracelluar Vesicles and Substance Abuse (PAR-15-283), Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (PA-14-163), Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (PA-13-338) or Neuroimmune Signaling and Function in Substance Use Disorders (PA-14-084). .
Areas of research appropriate for study under this FOA include, but are not limited to:
Determine how drugs of abuse interact with astrocytes to alter neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and neural communication:
- Study the effects of drugs of abuse on glucose utilization and energy metabolism with astrocyte and the consequences of these effects on neuronal activity
- Characterize the effects of drugs of abuse on astrocyte modulation of neuronal excitatory and inhibitory transmission
- Identify the effects of drugs of abuse on astrocyte mechanisms that contribute to neuronal homeostasis, synaptic scaling and synaptic plasticity
- Determine the effects of drugs of abuse on RNA, protein, metabolite, lipid, and other cargoes secreted in astrocyte-derived exosomes and the coordinated regulation of synaptic plasticity induced by acute and chronic exposure to drugs of abuse
- Examine the effects of drugs of abuse on astrocytes in shaping neuronal dynamics and astrocyte-neuron ensembles
Characterize the effects of drugs of abuse on the regulation of astrocyte and astrocytic networks:
- Identify, characterize and compare in astrocyte populations in the neuropharmacology of receptors, transporters and other proteins that are targets of drugs of abuse
- Examine the spatiotemporal properties of activation of astrocytes by drugs of abuse, including localized responses, signal transmission/transduction within astrocytes and their processes, and signal propagation across gap junctions and along astroglia networks
- Determine drug of abuse-induced changes in epigenomic, non-coding RNA regulation, or gene expression in contributing to astrocytic function
Identify the effects of drugs of abuse acting on astrocytes in cognition and behavior
- Determine the roles of acute and chronic use of drugs of abuse acting on astrocytes on the initiation, development, progression and withdrawal behaviors
- Determine the roles of astrocytes in drug-induced cognition, motivation, reinforcement, and negative affect stage
Examine the contributions of additive substances on astrocyte-mediated guidance and regulation of neurodevelopment:
- Examine the effects of prenatal drug exposure on the ability of astrocyte to guide synapse formation, axonal guidance, and synapse elimination during development
- Determine the effects of drugs of abuse on the ability of astrocyte to guide synapse formation, axonal guidance, and synapse elimination in adolescence through adulthood
URLs:
- R01: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-16-144.html
- R21: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-16-145.html
Filed Under: Funding Opportunities