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Neurocognitive mechanisms of reward - motivated memory persistence across age

Award Number: K01DA053438
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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Neurocognitive mechanisms of reward - motivated memory persistence across age - Project Summary/Abstract My career goal is to a lead a research group that investigates the neurocognitive development of motivationally-salient memory formation and how persistent memories influence behaviors that can increase risk for substance use disorders. To acquire the necessary skills to lead a team pursuing this line of research, I propose a project that aims to examine the neural mechanisms underlying reward-motivated memory, the influence of previously learned reward value on new learning, and the impact of real-world positive affect states on memory processes from childhood to adulthood. My training to date has provided me with a strong methodological and theoretical foundation in developmental cognitive neuroscience and basic behavioral neuroscience research. My career development plan builds on this knowledge base by providing crucial, intensive training in the study of reward-motivated memory and its relation to addiction, multivariate analyses of neuroimaging data, computational modeling, and ecological momentary assessment methods. Completion of the proposed research and training will prepare me to lead a lab that uses a translational approach to study appetitive and aversive motivated memory processes and how they guide future behaviors across development, using sophisticated computational and neuroimaging approaches. Research Project: Experimentation with addictive substances often begins during adolescence, increasing the risk of progression to addiction. Normative developmental changes in mesolimbic dopamine systems, which drive adolescent reward sensitivity and motivated behaviors, alongside changes in hippocampal memory systems may yield vulnerability to substance abuse during adolescence. While a rich body of research has focused on how reward sensitivity drives reactive and consummatory behaviors during adolescence, few studies have investigated how this sensitivity shapes memory and future choices. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate age-related changes in reward-motivated memory persistence that may contribute to substance abuse from childhood to adulthood, spanning the transition into and out of adolescence. We hypothesize that adolescent reward sensitivity enhances the persistence of reward-motivated memories, yielding greater susceptibility to substance abuse. The first study (Aim 1) will identify age-related changes in the neural mechanisms supporting reward-motivated memories. The second study (Aim 2) will determine how reward-motivated experiences and related brain activity influence subsequent learning across age. Finally, the third study will investigate how real-world affective states influence memory and its relation to substance use and mesolimbic dopamine system connectivity across age (Aim 3). Understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms through which rewards modulate memory and guide future behaviors across age – both in the lab and in the real-world – may provide key insights into how to help prevent substance use disorders and to promote a healthy transition into adulthood.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $195,399 )
2025	2025	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	5	4/30/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$2,265
2025	2025	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	5	4/8/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$193,134
														Subtotal = $195,399

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $160,928 )
2024	2024	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	4	2/9/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$160,928
2024	2022	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	1/30/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $160,928

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $160,658 )
2023	2023	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	3	2/28/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$160,658
														Subtotal = $160,658

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $165,334 )
2022	2022	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	1	8/8/2022	NEW	-$117,950
2022	2022	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	2/7/2022	NEW	$165,335
2022	2022	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	2	8/8/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$117,949
														Subtotal = $165,334

Grand Total All Awards = $682,319

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Neurocognitive mechanisms of reward - motivated memory persistence across age

Award Number: K01DA053438

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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