Dependent drug use is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. However the process by which drug-related changes to the human brain influence behaviours important to remaining abstinent is poorly understood. The current proposal investigates the neural and behavioural effects of drug dependence on cognitive control - responsible for impulse control and decision making - previously implicated in drug dependence.
Drug addiction is a major health and societal problem in Australia. Relapse is among the most fundamental problems for addicts. This project studies the behavioural and brain mechanisms for relapse to drug seeking. It studies why relapse is more likely in some places than others; the brain mechanisms for this contextual control over relapse; and how relapse to seeking drug rewards is similar to and different from relapse to seeking non-drug rewards.
MDMA (Ecstasy) has recently become one of the most popular recreational drugs in the world. A major concern with MDMA use is the mounting evidence from animal studies that even moderate doses may cause irreversible damage to nerve cells that utilize serotonin (5-HT) for neurotransmission. What is not known is how this damage might be expressed in terms of altered emotion, cognition and behaviour. Existing evidence suggests an important role for 5-HT in anxiety, depression and impulsiveness, but ....MDMA (Ecstasy) has recently become one of the most popular recreational drugs in the world. A major concern with MDMA use is the mounting evidence from animal studies that even moderate doses may cause irreversible damage to nerve cells that utilize serotonin (5-HT) for neurotransmission. What is not known is how this damage might be expressed in terms of altered emotion, cognition and behaviour. Existing evidence suggests an important role for 5-HT in anxiety, depression and impulsiveness, but whether MDMA use will increase the likelihood of such problems is uncertain. A major aim of this project is to examine the behavioural, cognitive and emotional changes in rats following exposure to MDMA. Using a variety of sophisticated tasks, we will determine the acute and the long term effects of MDMA in relation to memory, attention, impulsivity, and anxiety. A further concern is whether MDMA use may increase vulnerability to the addictive effects of other drugs of abuse . We aim to examine whether rats pre-exposed to MDMA are subsequently sensitised to the rewarding effects of cocaine and opioids. MDMA users may also suffer a temporary depression a few days after taking the drug. We will assess the possible anhedonic or depressing effects of MDMA. Finally, there is still a lot to understand about the way MDMA affects the brain. Our recent work shows that many diverse brain regions are affected by this drug. We want to extend this work to see how this pattern of brain activation is altered by fluid deprivation and high ambient temperatures - conditions experienced at rave parties. The present project will help further our understanding of MDMA and its neurotoxic effects and to highlight any potential long-term dangers to health that may exist for people who are currently using or are planning to use this drug.Read moreRead less