UCLA Addiction Studies Neurobiology Unit
To support the scientific studies conducted by the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), the Addiction Studies Neurobiology Unit (ASNU) provides expertise, equipment, and facilities required to investigate the neurobiological aspects of substance abuse and its treatment. ASNU investigators also conduct independent research initiated by the two leaders of the unit, Thomas Newton, M.D., and Edythe London, Ph.D.
ASNU Research Activities
- Clinical Trials Operations
- Imaging
- Brain Mapping
- Clinical Training in Addiction Medicine
The imaging lab resources, clinical spaces, computer equipment, and other facilities accessed and utilized by Addiction Studies Neurobiology Unit (ASNU) include the following:
Brain imaging Capabilities:
ASNU offers the opportunity for functional, molecular, and
structural brain imaging. Facilities for human brain imaging
using functional
and structural MRI as well as PET scanning are available at
the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. MRI instrumentation
includes
a 3-Tesla scanner (Siemens Allegra), available for functional
studies and a 1.5-Tesla unit (Siemens Sonata) that is used
for structural assessments. The acquisition system is supported
by
a network of high performance UNIX and Macintosh workstations
equipped with data analysis and display software. Molecular
imaging with PET is performed on a Siemens Exact HR+ tomograph
by the
Laboratory of Molecular Neuroimaging, directed by Dr. Edythe
London (see http://london.npih.ucla.edu). The Center also houses
an RDS111 cyclotron for preparation of [O-15] water, which
is used for cerebral perfusion studies. Technical details and
a
description of the facility can be found at the Web site for
the Brain Mapping Center, www.brainmapping.org.
Clinical:
Inpatient Treatment Facilities. In addition to conducting research
and clinical activities in dedicated facilities (including
the UCLA Addiction Clinic, directed by ASNU Director Thomas
Newton,
M.D.) throughout the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience
and Human Behavior, ASNU also makes use of the outstanding
expertise
of the National Institutes of Health-supported Clinical Research
Center at UCLA to conduct inpatient activities associated
particularly with pharmacokinetic and challenge studies utilized
for Phase
I clinical trials. ASNU researchers also perform longer duration
activities associated with Phase II clinical trials at existing ISAP-affiliated
outpatient clinic sites (Matrix Clinics).
Patient Testing Facilities. We have access to patient testing facilities as needed in the Department of Psychiatry of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, as well as in the MR simulator and patient testing area in the Ahmanson Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. Experimental paradigms (such as reaction time tests) have been developed for presentation on Macintosh computer systems using MacStim software (White Ant Publishing, Melbourne, Australia), as well as a variety of other programs. Voice and key reaction time devices are built into the existing system. Also available to us is the MEL software running on a PC-compatible system. Both Macintosh and PC computers can be used within the MR imager.
Office:
ASNU Personnel. Dr. Newton, Dr. London, and their support staff
occupy office space within the Semel Institute for Neuroscience
and Human Behavior at UCLA.
The Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. The staff and major physical resources of the UCLA Brain Mapping Division are housed in the 13,000 square foot Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. The primary lab spaces, described below, include PET and cyclotron laboratories, the MRI labs, behavioral training and testing space, data viewing, and computing labs. In addition to the laboratory space, the UCLA Center for Brain Mapping includes the offices for all faculty of the UCLA Brain Mapping Division, a 575 square-foot conference/teaching and library space and a 410 square-foot student center for trainees. The Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center is located adjacent to the Reed Neurological Research Center, the UCLA Center for Health Sciences, and the Jerry Lewis Neuromuscular Research Center. In addition to the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, the staff has four offices at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA totaling 706 square feet.
The Brain Mapping Division is committed to an open scientific relationship with other centers. As part of the commitment, we have established a Web site at www.brainmapping.org, from which we share scientific results, software for data collection and analysis, and other useful information.
(Last updated September 2005)