COMPONENTS:

Component VI: Pilot Projects

This component is designed to permit the Center’s investigators to explore new research possibilities rapidly with small-scale pilot projects and draw other Colorado researchers into this field by supporting pilot projects that advance the aims of the center.

Principal Investigator:  Soo Hyun Rhee

From 2003 to 2007, a total of eight pilot projects were recruited. 

1. Marissa Ehringer – Targeting SNPs in the CNR1 gene for marijuana association study: Year 1


2. Marissa Ehringer – Targeting SNPs in the CNR1 gene for marijuana association study: Year 2


3. Christian Thurstone – The role of fatty acid hydrolase in adolescent cannabis dependence


4. Gary Stetler – An association study of serotonin receptor (5HTR1B) polymorphisms in subjects with conduct and substance abuse disorders


5. Marilyn Coors – Ethical issues in substance use disorder genetics


6. Brett Haberstick - COMT and disinhibited behavioral problems


7. Soo Hyun Rhee – Sex differences in substance use disorders


8. Matthew McQueen – INSIG2 gene and obesity- and alcohol-related phenotypes

During the first five years of the center, beginning in 1997, we accomplished the following highlights for Component VI:

• Supported 5 non-treatment pilot projects.
• Began investigating the relationship and validity of parent vs. child reports for ADHD as they relate to substance dependence.
• Collected pilot data on the characteristics of a criminal justice sample to assess the heritability of substance use disorders in this population.
• Established a dopamine-related genetic association with an early indicator of behavioral disinhibition.
• Documented the relationship of drug use and sex risk behaviors in an adolescent substance-abusing sample.
• Examined spousal resemblance for antisocial peronality disorder and substance dependence among parents of patients and controls.