Pubdate: Mon, 18 Sep 2006
Source: News-Review, The (Roseburg, OR)
Copyright: 2006 The News-Review
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.info
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2623
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

FEDERAL AGENCY BACKS UNIQUE METH RESEARCH PROJECT IN PORTLAND

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Instead of Oregon being known for its 
methamphetamine abuse problem, researchers at Oregon Health & Science 
University and the Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center 
want the state to be known as a national leader in meth research and treatment.

Backed by a federal agency, together they have launched the 
Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center.

National health experts say the center is unique because it will 
devote itself to a full interdisciplinary approach to studying meth 
and meth addiction.

"You're bringing a wide variety of research into the mix," said Dr. 
David Shurtleff of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is 
providing $5 million over a five-year period for research at the center.

Geneticists, neuroscientists, psychiatrists and people doing public 
outreach will all be involved, said Shurtleff, director of basic 
neuroscience and behavioral research at the national institute, from 
his office in Bethesda, Md.

Using existing facilities at the two Portland medical centers, 
researchers have already begun their work.

OHSU and the veterans hospital officially announced the center on Friday.

The decision to launch the center was largely based on the meth 
problem in Oregon and its growing prevalence nationwide, said Aaron 
Janowski, director of the Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center. An 
estimated 1.4 million people in the United States have used 
methamphetamine in the past year.

The U.S. meth problem originated in the West but it has been 
spreading east, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 
Despite the prevalence of the addictive drug, researchers say there 
is much to be learned about its workings.

"There's actually very little that is understood about meth," Janowski said.

Scientists do know that meth is an insidious drug, causing long-term damage.

"We want to know: How can we alter the effects of methamphetamines?" 
Janowski said. "And even more importantly, what are the precursors, 
the predispositions that might allow someone to really have trouble 
to start using it and then have irreparable trouble?"

Twenty faculty members at the Portland medical centers are conducting 
research to understand what drives people to the drug and the effects 
of the addiction at a molecular, neurochemical, anatomical and 
behavioral level.

The group also plans to increase education for clinicians and the 
public about the drug and its effects.

Research projects that are already under way show the breadth of the 
work to be pursued.

One of the center's pilot projects is examining neuron systems in the 
brain involved in meth's effects and how those systems are altered by 
drug exposure. Another is focusing on the decision-making and 
impulsivity among meth users by taking an image of their brains while 
they take a series of tests.

Information from the latter project show meth users are much more 
driven by immediate than long-term rewards. This is important 
clinically, Dr. Bill Hoffman of OHSU said, because it could improve a 
patient's interest in sticking with treatment if it is focused on the 
immediate rewards that meth users are wired to desire.

The center hopes to continue finding insights into their 
understanding of meth that can help curb the nationwide problem.

Janowski said Oregon is ripe for the research because of its 
population of people who use meth, many of whom have been taking the 
drug for more than 20 years and in large doses. And unlike many other 
areas, Oregon meth users tend to make it their preferred drug of 
choice -- making it easier for scientists to look at meth-specific impacts.

The Portland VA says the drug accounts for more psychiatric 
hospitalizations in the state than any other abused drug.

William Cameron, associate professor at OHSU heading up the education 
component of the center, said its clear there is an urgency to 
sharing as much information as possible among researchers, health 
care workers and the public because of the social toll of the drug.

"Local efforts alone won't do," he said.

The center can reapply for further funding based on their initial performance.

"We have high hopes for this project," said Shurtleff, of the 
National Institute on Drug Abuse.