Cracking the code of adolecent drug use

A University of Sydney researcher has won a grant to study how exposure to drugs during adolescence affects the brain and behaviour.

Professor Iain McGregor of the School of Psychology received the grant of $694,000, including an Australian Professorial Fellowship, in the latest round of the Australian Research Council National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) (see previousstory).

Professor McGregor and his colleagues will examine why adolescents may be more vulnerable to binging on alcohol, cannabis and inhalants, and why they respond differently to adults to prescription medications such as antidepressants.

"We will be studying the lasting changes caused in the brain as a result of adolescent drug exposure and how these may lead to increased vulnerability to depression, anxiety and cognitive problems in adulthood," said Professor McGregor.

The research project is primarily based on animal models and will utilise advanced techniques in behavioural analysis and molecular neuroscience. The project will capitalise on links between Professor McGregor and researchers and clinicians at the new Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) at the University of Sydney, where adolescent mental health is a major research focus.

Professor McGregor notes: "Increasing our knowledge of the causes and consequences of adolescent drug abuse will improve Australia's ability to confront this problem and to develop early interventions and treatments that minimise associated harms."

http://www.usyd.edu.au