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Influence of early developmental ethanol exposure on genes, the mTOR signaling pathway and behavior

Award Number: R00AA027567
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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Influence of early developmental ethanol exposure on genes, the mTOR signaling pathway and behavior - Project Summary / Abstract Mental illness stems from intricate interactions between genes and the environment. Prenatal alcohol exposure is most common environmental input that leads to disorders of the brain and behavior. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) collectively describes all the defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. In the United States it is estimated that 1 in 100 children have FASD. Impaired social behavior is a frequent and debilitating symptom of FASD. The risk of FASD is modified by an individual's genetics, with some deficits being linked to impairments of neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine. However, the exact mechanisms for FASD social deficits are unknown. My host lab has shown that elevating mTORC1 signaling rescues ethanol-induced facial defects in zebrafish. Using zebrafish, I have shown that a two-hour developmental exposure to 1% ethanol (resulting in tissue levels of approximately 27 mM ethanol), which is comparable to established rodent FASD exposure leads to permanent social deficits and disrupted dopamine functioning. Thus, I joined my host lab to characterize the genetic predisposition to ethanol-induced social behavior deficits. I will test the hypothesis that ethanol attenuates the overall level of mechanistic target-of-rapamycin (mTOR) pathway signaling which regulates development of the dopaminergic system and, subsequently social behavior. Collectively my results will provide mechanistic insight into one of the most devastating human disorders which, has a life-long impact on the brain and behavior.


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: 2023 ( Subtotal = $249,000 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	5	8/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$249,000
														Subtotal = $249,000

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $279,712 )
2022	2022	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	002	4	9/12/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2022	2022	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	4	8/19/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$249,000
2022	2021	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	2/16/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$30,712
														Subtotal = $279,712

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $249,000 )
2021	2021	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	9/9/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$249,000
														Subtotal = $249,000

Grand Total All Awards = $777,712

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Influence of early developmental ethanol exposure on genes, the mTOR signaling pathway and behavior

Award Number: R00AA027567

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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