RIA: Currently Funded Projects

Currently Funded Projects

Research Projects Currently Being Conducted at RIA The following list shows RIA’s continued success in securing grants and financial support for its valuable research projects. The dedication of RIA scientists and their grantsmanship efforts have made this research possible. This section briefly describes each scientist’s individual projects as well as the funding sources and the amounts dedicated to each project.
Bradizza/Eiden/ Stasiewicz/Brandon	Affect Regulation Training for Pregnant Smokers Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is a significant public health issue that can have profound effects on women’s health and the health of their developing fetus. Smoking among pregnant women is associated with high levels of negative affect, which plays a key role in both continuing to smoke and attempting to quit smoking. The smoking cessation treatment strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in regular smokers have not translated into effective treatment strategies for pregnant women. Therefore, the goal of this project is to develop and test an affect regulation smoking cessation intervention for pregnant smokers, particularly low-income pregnant smokers for whom other treatments have been ineffective. In phase one of the project, Dr. Bradizza and colleagues will develop an eight-session Affect Regulation Training intervention. In phase two, a randomized clinical trial will be conducted to compare the Affect Regulation Training intervention with a control intervention. The trial will assess the impact on smoking cessation rates at the six-month post-quit date and changes in affect regulation skills and negative affect among pregnant smokers, thereby providing long-term health benefits for both the mothers and their children. Dr. Bradizza’s co-investigators include Drs. Rina Eiden, Paul Stasiewicz, and Dr. Thomas Brandon of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida. Funded by a grant of $1,816,091 from NIDA and the Office of the Director, NIH, 2007-2012.
Coffey/Stasiewicz	Mechanisms of Change, Motivation and Treatment Outcome in AD-PTSD There is a high level of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence. However, there are few controlled trials testing whether concurrent treatment of the two conditions improves alcohol treatment outcomes. In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, an established PTSD treatment is administered in a sample of alcohol dependent treatment seekers with PTSD to assess if reductions in PTSD symptom severity leads to improved alcohol treatment outcomes at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Moreover, a brief trauma-focused motivational enhancement session is utilized to test if retention during alcohol dependence-PTSD treatment can be improved. Funded by NIAAA, with a subaward to RIA from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2007-2012.
Collins/Vincent	Malt Liquor Cell Phone Study In this study, Principal Investigator Dr. R. Lorraine Collins of UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions is examining the use of alcohol (including malt liquor) and other substances during the developmental period of young adulthood (ages 18 to 30 years). Malt liquor is a unique, high-alcohol-content (six-11 percent alcohol/volume) beer that is packaged in 40 oz. containers. The study employs a daily process approach involving innovative cellular monitoring (cell phones and interactive voice response). Participants will report in real time on their substance use, mood, motives, peer social influences and contexts. Results will provide information on patterns of substance use and the antecedents and correlates of use within and between individuals. Findings could contribute to the development of substance-specific prevention and treatment strategies. Dr. Collins’ co-investigator is RIA’s Dr. Paula C. Vincent. This project is funded by NIAAA with support provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to Dr. Collins, subaccount to RIA, 2009-2012.
Conner/Houston/Bossarte/ Wyman/Tu/Hesselbrock	Etiology of Suicidal Behavior During Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood In this study, Principal Investigator Kenneth Conner of the University of Rochester is investigating variables that decrease risk for suicide attempts in young people ages 12 to 25. Three types of variables that decrease risk will be examined: 1) “promotive” factors that decrease risk directly, that is they show a direct, inverse relationship to substance abuse; 2) “protective” factors that serve as a buffer against risk by moderating (lowering) the potency of risk factors; 3) variables that are both promotive and protective. Informed by a social connectedness framework, Dr. Conner and colleagues will focus on promotive and protective effects of connectedness to peers, school, parents, and family. In addition, they will examine promotive and protective effects of social capital, a measure of the connectedness within a community. Finally, the investigation will include whether or not the promotive and/or protective effects of connectedness to parents, etc. assessed during adolescence endure into emerging adulthood. The project is being conducted by an experienced multi-disciplinary research team which includes Dr. Rebecca Houston of RIA; Drs. Robert Bossarte, Peter Wyman and Xin Tu of the University of Rochester Medical School; and Dr. Victor Hesselbrock of the University of Connecticut Health Center. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Dr. Conner with a subaward to Dr. Houston from the University of Rochester, 2010-2013.
Connors/Maisto/ Dearing/Lucke	Therapeutic Alliances in Alcoholism Treatment The establishment of a therapeutic alliance between the patient and therapist is generally viewed as a central component of the behavior change process in the treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). In this study, the therapeutic alliance, from the perspective of the patient, will be studied regularly over the course of outpatient treatment and its relationship to treatment variables (such as attendance) and posttreatment functioning (including drinking behavior) evaluated. The study is intended to advance knowledge on therapeutic alliances, the enhancement of which is anticipated to improve treatment outcomes. Co-investigators include Drs. Stephen A. Maisto of Syracuse University, Ronda L. Dearing, and Joseph Lucke. Funded by a grant of $2,445,873 from NIAAA, 2012-2016.
Connors/Walitzer/ Smyth/Colder	Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in Alcoholism Treatment Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to be efficacious in increasing the ability to cope with stress and in enhancing coping and psychological well-being. In this study, MBSR will be evaluated in a clinical setting with alcohol dependent patients. In phase one of this study, an eight-session treatment manual for conducting group-based MBSR will be adapted for use in the context of a standardized 10-session treatment-as-usual (TAU) for alcohol dependent men and women. In phase two, a pilot clinical trial will be conducted to examine the effects of adding MBSR to TAU for alcohol dependent outpatients. The outcomes will be compared to the outcomes for patients receiving TAU plus a series of Health and Lifestyle Lectures (TAU + HLL). Co-investigators include Drs. Kimberly S. Walitzer, Nancy J. Smyth, UB School of Social Work, and Craig R. Colder, UB Department of Psychology. Funded by a grant of $1,977,241 from NIAAA, 2007-2012.
Connors/Collins	Research Training on Alcohol Etiology and Treatment The goal of the program, established in 2000, is to provide specialized postdoctoral training to scientists in preparation for conducting addictions research. The program provides quality research training on (1) the etiology and course of alcohol use and misuse and (2) treatment for alcohol use disorders. Trainees are assigned a specific preceptor, based on their research interests. The preceptor provides training in conceptualization, methodology, and ethics of research in the trainee’s primary area of study. The program also includes several seminar components, including Foundations of Interdisciplinary Alcohol Research, Current Alcohol Research (including a monthly “journal club”), Grant Writing, and Professional Issues and Career Development. Funded by a grant of $1,760,016 from NIAAA, 2010-2015.
Deutsch/Haj-Dahmane	Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) Inhibitors and Their Neurophysiological Effects on Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Dopamine Neurons A novel drug target called the fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) was discovered by Dr. Dale Deutsch’s group at Stony Brook University. The action of drugs at this target (inhibitors) would raise the levels of naturally occurring “marijuana-like” compounds in the body, endocannabinoids, (eCB) and lead to remedies for pain, stress, and withdrawal from drug abuse. Studies conducted by Dr. Samir Haj-Dahmane at RIA have established that eCBs are released “on demand” by ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, playing a central role in mediating short- and long- term plasticity of glutamate synapses impinging on VTA DA neurons. Together, the researchers will investigate whether competitive FABP inhibitors will prevent the endocannabinoids from reaching their breakdown enzymes (FAAH and MAGL) and as a result, raise the levels of the endocannabinoids outside the cell at the CB receptors. This research addresses a brain area critically involved in the regulation of stress-related behaviors, such as addiction. The main goal of this study is to develop pharmaceutical drugs that selectively target FABPs, intracellular transporters of eCB, and test their in vitro neurophysiological effects on VTA DA neurons. The working hypothesis is that inhibition of FABPs will elevate eCB levels in the brain, in turn enhancing the neurophysiological effects of eCBs at glutamate synapses of VTA DA neurons. This two-year collaborative project is funded through SUNY REACH (SUNY Research Excellence in Academic Health serving NY at UB, Upstate Medical University, Downstate Medical Center and Stony Brook), 2011-13.
Eiden/Colder/Connors/ Leonard/Schuetze	Prenatal and ETS Exposure: Effects on Child Regulation In this longitudinal, multi-method study Principal Investigator Dr. Rina Eiden is investigating the impact of prenatal exposure to cigarettes on the development of self-regulation over the first two years of life. Because most women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy continue to smoke after delivery and have partners who smoke, children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) will also be examined. The goals of this study are to examine direct effects of prenatal and ETS exposure on child regulation; examine the association between prenatal exposure and language development and the association between language development and self-regulation at 2 years of child age; examine the role of parenting as the proximal mediator of the association between cigarette exposure and child outcomes (e.g., reactivity and regulation at 9 and 16 months, and self-regulation at 2 years); and examine if a cumulative family risk score, including parenting, moderates the association between cigarette exposure and child outcomes. The study is guided by a developmental psychopathology framework and transactional models of child development emphasizing multiple pathways to risk. It is anticipated that this study will enrich understanding of pathways to self-regulatory problems among children of cigarette smoking mothers and reasons for heterogeneity in outcomes among cigarette exposed toddlers. Co-investigators on the study include Drs. Gerard Connors and Kenneth Leonard, RIA, Craig Colder, UB Department of Psychology, and Pamela Schuetze, Buffalo State College. Funded by a grant of $2,891,000 from NIDA, 2006-2011.
Eiden/Leonard/ Edwards/Grohman/ Colder	Parenting and Infant Development in Alcoholic Families This longitudinal study examines the role of parents’ alcohol problems on developmental trajectories of children’s self-regulation, peer relationships, and cognitive development using a transactional approach that considers multiple influences on parenting and child development. These include factors associated with parents’ alcohol problems such as depression and antisocial behavior as well as contextual factors such as marital aggression, life stress, and support. From 1994-2004, families were assessed when children were 12, 18, 24, 36 months of age, at 4 years, and upon entry into kindergarten. In infancy, the primary focus was on examining the parent-child relationship. In the toddler and preschool period, measures of children’s emerging self-regulatory abilities were added. In school age, the focus shifted to include classroom behavior and peer relationships, while continuing to assess the development of self-regulation. At every age, the quality of parent-child interactions were assessed using observational measures. Parents’ psychological problems, relationships with partners, stress, and support were also assessed at each age. In this continuation, families are assessed when children are in fourth and sixth grade. Assessments focus on peer relationships, self-regulation, cognitions about substance use, parenting, and family processes. In addition to Drs. Eiden and Leonard, the continuation study team includes Drs. Craig Colder, UB Department of Psychology; Kerry Grohman, VA Western New York Healthcare System; and Ellen Edwards, Capella University. Funded by a grant of $3,342,981 from NIAAA, 2005-2012.
Eiden/Colder/ Schuetze	Maternal Substance Use and Toddler Self-Regulation The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of prenatal cocaine and other substance exposure on developmental trajectories for self-regulation from toddler to kindergarten age. Self-regulation is defined as the emergence of impulse control, compliance, and internalization of rules of conduct. As the children in the study begin kindergarten, assessments will also include children’s adjustment to the school setting and classroom behavior. In addition to maternal substance use, other risk factors often associated with maternal substance use such as poor infant growth, maternal depression, anxiety, and anger/hostility, and caregiving instability will be measured at each time point, and considered as mediators or moderators of child outcomes. This is a collaborative project among Dr. Rina Eiden, RIA, and Drs. Craig Colder, University at Buffalo, and Pamela Schuetze, Buffalo State College. Other significant contributors are Drs. Claire Coles, Emory University, and Phillip Zeskind, Carolinas Medical Center. Funded by a grant of $3,201,187 from NIDA, 2007-2012.
Frone	Work Stress & Alcohol Use: A National Study of Unresolved & Unexplored Issues The use of alcohol off and on the job by employed adults represents an important social policy issue because it may affect employee health and productivity. In a systematic extension of past research, Dr. Frone is investigating a broad classification of work stressors to determine the general types of work stressors that may be related to employee alcohol use. Secondly, a broad set of alcohol measures will be used to determine if work stressors are more strongly related to certain dimensions of alcohol involvement including overall alcohol involvement and work-related, context-specific alcohol involvement. Lastly, a broad set of variables expected to moderate or mediate the relation between work stressors and alcohol use will be examined. A national telephone survey will be conducted using a representative sample of 3,500 employed individuals 18 to 65 years old. This study is expected to help shape future research by leading to a more comprehensive model of work stress and employee alcohol use. It will contribute to organizational policy and shape future intervention research on workforce and workplace alcohol use by identifying work conditions and vulnerable subgroups that can be the focus of intervention efforts and work redesign. Funded by a grant of $2,242,465 from NIAAA, 2007-2012.
Haj-Dahmane/Wood	Stress and Endocannabinoids in Serotonin Neurons Dr. Haj-Dahmane is investigating the role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in regulation of stress responses and anxiety-related behaviors which play a role in addicted behaviors. The long-term objective of this research is to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which stress modulates eCB signaling in dorsal raphe (DR) serotonergic (5-HT) neurons. A combination of electrophysiological, pharmacological and neurochemical approaches will be used to 1) test the hypothesis that glucocorticoids acutely enhance eCB systhesis/release in DR 5-HT neurons, 2) elucidate the signal transduction mechanisms by which glucocorticoids enhance eCB signaling in DR 5-HT neurons, 3) determine the mechanisms of severe stress-induced down-regulation of eCB signaling in DR 5-HT neurons. Given the role of 5-HT and eCB systems in the regulation of stress-related behaviors, the results from the proposed research should improve understanding of the etiology of anxiety disorder and may contribute to the development of more effective anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications). Co-investigator on the study is Dr. Troy Wood, UB’s Department of Chemistry. Funded by a grant of $1,688,468 from NIMH, 2007-2012.
Hequembourg	The Role of Gender & Sexual Identity in Alcohol Use & Victimization This Mentored Research Scientist Development Award from NIAAA will provide five years of support to Dr. Amy Hequembourg for mentored training, advanced coursework, and data collection in the area of gender and sexual identity differences in alcohol use, victimization, and related factors. The award will provide the foundation for a programmatic career plan to examine differential exposure and vulnerability to alcohol-related stressors among sexual minorities and heterosexuals. Surveys will be conducted to assess alcohol use, victimization (e.g., childhood sexual and physical abuse, adult sexual assault, intimate partner violence) and related risk factors within a sexual minority stress model. Participants will be 400 individuals comprised of 100 gay men, 100 lesbians, 100 bisexual men, and 100 bisexual women. This study will be the first to examine gender and sexual identity differences in alcohol use and victimization from a sexual minority stress perspective. Dr. Hequembourg’s mentors on this project are Drs. Kathleen Parks, R. Lorraine Collins, UB School of Public Health and Health Professions, and Michael Frone. Funded by a grant of $579,325 from NIAAA, 2006-2012.
Leonard/Testa/ Quigley/Houston	Study of Health and Adult Relationship Experiences In this study, Dr. Leonard is examining heavy drinking, cognitive functioning, and marital satisfaction and conflict in 300 couples over a three-year time period. Couples in which the husband, wife, both, or neither are frequent heavy drinkers will be recruited. Researchers will test whether self-regulation skills, in conjunction with heavy drinking, smoking, and other health issues, influence marital satisfaction, marital stability, and marital conflict. Funded by an award of $2,635,812 from NIAAA, 2007-2012.
Livingston	Adolescent Alcohol Use, Sexual Assault, and STD/HIV Risk This Mentored Research Scientist Development Award from NIAAA will provide five years of support to Dr. Jennifer Livingston for mentored training, advanced coursework and data collection in the field of adolescent substance use and sexual risk behavior. The first phase of the study will involve running focus group sessions with female adolescents (14-17 years old) and, separately, with their mothers to gain a preliminary understanding of adolescent perceptions of risk and how these perceptions influence decision-making related to participation in risk behavior. The second phase of the study will involve conducting a cognitively-based retrospective interview with 18-19 year old female adolescents regarding their high school experiences with alcohol, drugs, and sex. Dr. Livingston’s mentors on this project are Dr. Maria Testa, RIA, and Dr. Michael Windle, Emory University. Funded by a grant of $531,904 from NIAAA, 2005-2011.
Parks/Testa/Dearing/Hequembourg	Video Vignettes: Measuring Risk Perception in Alcohol Related Sexual Assaults Prior research suggests that a woman’s ability to perceive or interpret cues about a potential sexual assault can be influenced by alcohol consumption and her history of prior assault. In the past, research designed to assess deficits in women’s ability to perceive risk cues for sexual assault have utilized written and audio vignettes. In this study, Dr. Kathleen A. Parks and colleagues are developing video vignettes, that will include nonverbal (e.g. facial expressions) risk cues that can not be presented in the more traditional written and audio vignettes. The hope is that these video vignettes, by including nonverbal, verbal, and environmental risk cues, will provide a more realistic depiction of a sexual assault scenario. The primary goal of developing more realistic scenarios with these imbedded risk cues is to be able to more accurately assess women’s ability to perceive risks for sexual assault during heterosexual drinking situations. Development and validation of this measure will occur through a rigorous, multi-method process involving five small studies. These include the development of the vignette scripts through focus groups, individual, and expert feedback, and validation of the different levels (ambiguous, low and high risk) of risk cues, through presentation to women during sober and moderate alcohol conditions. Future goals include the development of unique prevention programs using the video vignette measure as a training tool for improving women’s risk perception, thereby reducing sexual assault risk. Dr. Parks’ co-investigators on the study include Drs. Maria Testa, Ronda L. Dearing and Amy Hequembourg. Funded by a grant of $416,063 from NIAAA, 2011-2013.
Richards/Thompson	Drug Abuse and Impulsivity: Tests of Animal Models This project investigates impulsivity as a predisposing factor for drug abuse. Drug abuse researchers have extensively studied “reward-related” factors that facilitate drug-seeking behaviors, including both unconditioned and conditioned positive affective responses to drugs while ignoring “impulsivity-related” processes that normally inhibit or limit the use of drugs. Dr. Richards believes that processes related to impulsivity may be as important as reward processes in determining whether an individual will use drugs. One reason for the failure to consider “impulsivity-related” factors has been the lack of adequate laboratory models. Although there are a variety of laboratory models designed to investigate the rewarding effects of drugs, there are few models designed to investigate processes that may cause an individual not to take drugs. The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop and use laboratory-based, behavioral measures of impulsivity to study the relationship between impulsive processes and drug abuse. Dr. Richards’ team has identified three distinct behavioral processes that may underlie the occurrence of maladaptive “impulsive behaviors” such as using drugs of abuse. First, preference for the immediate small rewards associated with drug taking over the delayed but larger rewards associated with abstaining may result in drug taking. Second, the inability to inhibit or stop a pre-potent response may result in occurrence of drug taking. And third, lapses of attention may be associated with relapse to drug abuse. This study will examine the strength of the association between cocaine self-administration and the three behavioral processes identified as underlying the occurrence of impulsive behaviors by investigating acquisition of drug-taking, escalation of drug intake, extinction of drug-taking, and cue-induced reinstatement of drug-taking. This research will provide important new information concerning putative animal models of impulsivity and the ability of these models to predict cocaine self-administration in humans. Funded by a grant of $554,750 from NIDA. This project is supported through funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), 2009-2012.
Richards/Thompson	Effects of Negative Consequences on Drug Self Administration in Rats The primary objective of this research is to develop a rodent model of self administration (SA) in which drug consumption has delayed negative consequences. SA procedures in which the animals make responses that are reinforced by IV drug injections are widely used and are perhaps the most convincing non-human animal models of drug abuse. Non-human animal SA models, however, may not model important aspects of human drug SA. In humans, impulsivity is considered an important component of drug abuse because individuals take drugs despite the knowledge of negative (often delayed) outcome associated with drug use. In contrast, standard laboratory animal models of SA have no explicit negative outcomes associated with the SA of the drug. Because there are currently no SA models that incorporate negative consequences, the impact of negative outcomes is not generally incorporated into current ideas about the underlying behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms mediating drug abuse. This study will advance our understanding of drug abuse by determining if punishment or delays to punishment have similar (or dissimilar) effects on drug and natural reinforcers of equivalent reinforcing efficacy. The results will help to determine if a “punished” SA model is a valuable tool with which to investigate the behavioral and cognitive regulation of drug abuse by negative consequences. Funded by a grant of $431,356 from NIDA. This project is supported through funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), 2009-2011.
Rychtarik/ McGillicuddy/Barrick	Developing Web Delivered Coping Skills Training for Women with Alcoholic Partners In this study, Dr. Robert G. Rychtarik and colleagues are developing a web-delivered coping skills training program for women with alcoholic partners. The study’s early-stage treatment development work will use an iterative, user-centered web site development process to develop and preliminarily test the Internet-based Coping Skills Training program. Results will provide the foundation for a larger research effort evaluating this promising treatment delivery model. Dr. Rychtarik’s co-investigators on the study are Drs. Neil B. McGillicuddy and Christopher Barrick. Funded by a grant of $994,778 from NIAAA.This project is supported through funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), 2009-2012.
Rychtarik/ McGillicuddy	Project STARTT (Stress Tension and Alcohol Relationships Today and Tomorrow) Women with an alcoholic or problem drinking partner can experience significant physical, psychological, and relationship distress. This project evaluates different interventions to reduce this distress among women experiencing stress from a partner’s drinking problem, and whose partner is not in treatment. For more information about Project STARTT please visit www.ProjectSTARTT.org. Dr. Rychtarik’s co-investigator on the study is Dr. Neil B. McGillicuddy. Funded by a grant of $2,636,3253 from NIAAA, 2008-2013.
Shen/Haj-Dahmane/Dlugos	Addiction Propensity After Prenatal Ethanol Exposure In the current investigation, Dr. Roh-Yu Shen and her research team will extend previous research in which she and Dr. Samir Haj-Dahmane found that prenatal ethanol exposure results in a persistent increase in glutamate synaptic transmission in dopamine (DA) neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), an effect thought to be a critical cellular mechanism for addiction. The team will use a multidisciplinary approach to further characterize the detailed cellular/molecular mechanims of these effects. Specifically, they will seek to confirm whether prenatal ethanol exposure leads to an increased expression of GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors. They will also investigate how prenatal ethanol exposure induces a blockade of endocannabinoid (eCB)-mediated long-term depression (LTD). Lastly, they will investigate if increased glutamate synaptic transmission mediated by these two cellular mechanisms in VTA DA neurons indeed leads to increased addiction propensity in prenatal ethanol exposed animals. The results generated from the proposed studies will have important implications in understanding the cellular/molecular mechanisms mediating prenatal ethanol exposure-induced increase in addiction propensity; help clarify the complex eCB signaling mechanisms within the mesolimbic/mesocortical DA systems; and may have broad impact beyond fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Increased addiction propensity caused by other conditions such as prenatal psychostimulant or stress exposure also alters the function of DA systems, raising the possibility that a common brain mechanism mediates increased addiction propensity. The results from this investigation may provide insights to a common brain mechanism mediating increased addiction propensity and the prevention of addiction in general. Dr. Shen's co-investigators are Dr. Haj-Dahmane and Dr. Cynthia Dlugos of UB’s Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Consultants on the study include Dr. Jerry Richards and Dr. Paul Vezina, University of Chicago. Funded by a grant of $1,768,383 from NIAAA, 2010-2015.
Simms/Welte	Development of a Computer Adaptive Test of Personality Disorder The goals of this study are to develop a comprehensive set of personality pathology dimensions and an efficient method of measuring them. Computerized adaptive testing and item response theory will be used, in a sample of psychiatric patients plus a general population sample. Funded by NIMH to Dr. Leonard J. Simms, UB’s Department of Psychology. Co-investigators include Drs. John E. Roberts, UB’s Department of Psychology and John W. Welte, RIA. Subaccount to Dr. Welte, 2008-2013.
Stasiewicz/Bradizza	Identifying Multiple Mechanisms of Change in Alcoholism Treatment In this study, Dr. Stasiewicz is investigating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an empirically-supported treatment for alcohol dependence and its effects on coping skills, as well as four additional theoretically-relevant behavioral mechanisms of change specifically: increasing self-efficacy and self confidence, reducing positive outcome expectancies for alcohol use, increasing the therapeutic alliance, and reducing/regulating negative emotional states for their impact on treatment outcome. The study includes 72 alcohol-dependent men and women participating in a 12-week trial of CBT for alcohol dependence. In addition, comprehensive research assessments will be conducted with patients at baseline, end of treatment, and three months posttreatment. The goal of this study is to map the process of change in successful CBT by measuring the aforementioned theoretically relevant behavioral mechanisms of change on weekly occasions during treatment. Results are expected to contribute to a refinement of existing treatment procedures, a clearer picture of the processes of recovery, treatment dropout, poor response, and relapse. Dr. Stasiewicz’s co-investigator on the study is Dr. Clara M. Bradizza, RIA. Funded by a grant of $757,030 from NIAAA. This project is supported through funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), 2009-2012.
Testa/Leonard/Parks	Men’s Alcohol Use and Perpetration of Sexual Aggression In this project, Dr. Testa and colleagues will consider the impact of men’s alcohol consumption on their perpetration of sexual aggression. Two studies of college freshman males are being conducted following recruitment of 1,850 participants from two entering cohorts of male freshmen. In the first study, web-based, prospective survey methods will be used to examine whether the frequency of heavy episodic drinking predicts subsequent sexual aggression over the first five semesters of college. In a second study, a subsample of 324 men will make eight weeks of daily reports on drinking and sexual behavior using interactive voice response (IVR) technology. It is hypothesized that the relationship between alcohol use and sexual aggression is moderated by several individual differences variables, such as sex-related alcohol expectancies, hostile masculinity, and impersonal sexuality. These moderators will be considered both at the distal, prospective level and also at the proximal, daily level. Findings from the two studies are expected to provide significant new knowledge about the role of alcohol in men’s perpetration of sexual aggression and aid in the development of efficacious sexual aggression prevention programs. Funded with a grant of $2,078,526 from NIAAA, 2010-2015.
Testa/Leonard/Quigley	Alcohol and Couples Communication In this study, Dr. Testa is investigating whether acute alcohol consumption is a causal factor in episodes of relationship conflict and aggression among young married and cohabiting couples. First, an experimental study will examine the effects of alcohol - administered independently to male and female partners - on communication behaviors and verbal aggression within a conflict resolution paradigm. Second, a daily diary study conducted over eight weeks will be used to determine if the likelihood of relationship conflict or aggression occurring on a given day is increased when either the man, the woman, or both have consumed alcohol earlier that day. This study is unique in that it considers women's drinking, in addition to men's drinking, as a potential contributor to relationship conflict and aggression; the daily diary study promises to be the first to examine daily alcohol-relationship conflict in a non-clinical sample, thereby addressing the importance of alcohol in naturally occurring relationship conflict; and lastly, both studies will consider the role of potential moderating variables, including propensity toward aggression, behavioral self-control and alcohol expectancies. This research is expected to provide important insight into the causal mechanisms underlying the alcohol-intimate partner aggression relationship. Funded with a grant of $1,938,596 from NIAAA, 2007-2012.
Thompson/DiPirro	Evaluation of Neuropeptide Y as a Target for Cocaine Dependence Treatment Cocaine use and dependence exact a toll on the individual user and the community at large because cocaine-driven behavior is associated with a wide range of economic, biomedical, and social problems (e.g., crime, spread of disease, and neonatal drug exposure). Currently there are no recommended drug therapies for cocaine dependence. The proposed research will test the hypothesis that enhancing neuropeptide Y (NPY, a neurotransmitter) activity in the central nervous system will reduce heightened anxiety and cocaine-craving associated with short and long periods of abstinence from cocaine in an animal model of cocaine dependence. In particular, the ability of NPY agonists to reduce cue- and stress-induced cocaine seeking will be examined. The results will add to our understanding of the neurobiological substrates that underlie cocaine dependence and determine if the pursuit of medicinal compounds to enhance the activity of NPY in the brain in the treatment of cocaine dependence is warranted. Dr. Alexis Thompson’s co-investigator on the study is Dr. Jean DiPirro of Buffalo State College. Funded by a grant of $1,582,306 from NIDA, 2006-2012.
Thompson/ Straubinger/Qu	Peripheral Biomarkers of Cocaine Dependence and Relapse In this project, Dr. Thompson and colleagues will study the protein composition of plasma and brain tissue samples from animal models of cocaine dependence, withdrawal, and stress-induced relapse. Their goal is to identify biomarkers of cocaine history and/or vulnerability to stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-induced behavior. Dr. Thompson’s colleagues for this Multiple Principal Investigator award include Drs. Robert Straubinger and Dr. Jun Qu, both of UB’s School of Pharmacy. Funded by a grant of $183,280 from NIDA, 2009-2012.
Walitzer/Stasiewicz/ Connors	Developing Anger Management (CRCS) for Use in Alcoholism Treatment Research has provided substantial evidence for a relationship between alcoholism and anger emotions (e.g., annoyance, irritation, frustration, anger, hostility). There also is evidence that alcoholics score higher on measures of anger emotions compared to non-alcoholics, and furthermore, that anger emotions are common precipitants to relapse. In this study, Dr. Walitzer plans to develop and evaluate an anger management treatment protocol (specifically Cognitive-relaxation and Coping Skills Training [CRCS]) for use as an outpatient alcoholism treatment. The project will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will involve the development of a 12-session treatment manual for conducting anger management therapy with outpatient alcohol-dependent men and women scoring high on an index of anger emotions. The second phase will include a pilot clinical trial to examine the relative effects of the alcohol-adapted CRCS among alcoholics. The long-term goal of this research is to improve alcohol outcomes and decrease relapse, which will provide significant health benefits to persons being treatment for alcohol dependence. Dr. Walitzer’s co-investigators are Drs. Gerard J. Connors and Paul R. Stasiewicz of RIA. Funded by a grant of $1,783,125 from NIAAA, 2008-2013.
Welte/Barnes/ Wieczorek	Problem Gambling — A Decade of Change Since Dr. John Welte’s National Survey of the Co-occurrence of Gambling and Substance Use in the U.S. in 2000, there has been rapid growth of both the public profile and availability of gambling in this country. In this newly funded national telephone survey of adults, Dr. Welte and colleagues will collect information about the respondents’ gambling and substance involvement, census data about the respondents’ neighborhoods, distances from the respondents' homes to gambling venues, and information about state gambling laws. This data will be combined with the data from the 2000 survey for the purpose of analyzing trends in gambling in the U.S. over the last decade among U.S. adults generally, as well as in relevant sub-groups of the population. The research team will examine the relationship between gambling trends and changes in state gambling laws, changes in the density of gambling facilities, changes in U.S. neighborhoods and changes in social approval of gambling. Additionally, they will examine forms of gambling that have recently grown in popularity, such as internet gambling, fantasy football and Texas Hold-em poker. This investigation will supply empirical data which are relevant to current controversies about gambling policy and liberalized gambling regulations in the U.S. Dr. Welte’s co-investigators on this research are Dr. Grace Barnes of RIA and Dr. William Wieczorek of Buffalo State College. Funded by a grant of $3,001,078 from NIAAA, 2009-2013.
Wieczorek/Welte/ Nochajski/Marczynski/ Wong	Initiation and Continuation of Drinking and Driving Behavior This study, led by Dr. William Wieczorek of Buffalo State College, is an investigation of the etiology of driving while intoxicated with the goal of informing prevention and intervention efforts. A fourth wave of interviews will be added to the three waves collected by the Drinking and Delinquency in Young Men Study led by Dr. John W. Welte from 1991-97. At that time, 625 young men (ages 16-22) were interviewed. These men will be re-interviewed to collect data on psychological traits, problem behaviors, and family information. Census data and neighborhood geographic information, such as the density of alcohol outlets, will be added to the interview data. The specific goals include developing models of the initiation of drinking-driving behavior, long-term prospective models of continued drinking-driver behavior, and an examination of the impact of various geospatial methods of aggregating point data (e.g., alcohol outlets) into geographic units for use in multilevel and individual models of drinking and driving. The models developed will include the psychological, deterrence, substance abuse, family, and neighborhood measures necessary to identify possible interventions. Co-Investigators include Dr. John W. Welte, RIA, Dr. Thomas Nochajski, UB’s Department of Social Work, Dr. Kelly Marczynski, Buffalo State College, and Dr. David Wong, George Mason University. Funded by NIAAA to Dr. Wieczorek, Buffalo State College, subaward to RIA, 2008-2012.
Clinical Research Center (CRC) The Clinical Research Center at the Research Institute on Addictions was established in 1990 and is part of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The CRC is certified by New York State. The CRC is the only alcoholism and substance abuse treatment program in New York State designed specifically for clinical research. As such, the CRC plays an important role in developing and evaluating methods of addictions treatment. Through their involvement in clinical treatment research, the CRC staff are informed of the latest developments in substance abuse assessment and treatment issues. A unique strength of the CRC is the ability to test and apply innovative treatment strategies within the context of carefully controlled research protocols to determine appropriate clinical treatments. Additionally, the CRC staff carefully monitor treatment outcomes, thus enhancing services to clients.