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Neural Basis of Spatial Memory Deficits After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Award Number: R01AA029700
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/22/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Neural Basis of Spatial Memory Deficits After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a set of major morphological, neurobiological, and cognitive abnormalities in offspring exposed to alcohol in utero. A common cognitive manifestation of alcohol exposure during neural development in humans, and in animal models of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), are deficits in spatial learning and memory. In moderate PAE, which accounts for the most common and underestimated form of PAE, spatial deficits are marked by an inability to accurately discriminate between spatial locations or recall previously learned spatial relationships. Systems-level monitoring of neural populations in the hippocampal formation has unraveled a critical role for this circuit in the generation of spatial memories and their subsequent recall. The well-characterized spatial and oscillatory organization of hippocampal spiking is thought to play a critical role in these processes. The long-term goal of our research program is to identify the neurobiological mechanisms of spatial learning and memory impairments after moderate PAE. While the behavioral phenotype of altered spatial behavior after moderate PAE is well established, there is still a critical need to identify the systems-level mechanisms including the neural circuitry and brain dynamics involved in such deficits. A multi-level understanding framework for the study of spatial impairments is essential in developing a complete understanding of the impact of PAE on nervous system function and toward the development of targeted interventions. The overall objective of this proposal is to identify these systems-level alterations by monitoring large ensembles of hippocampal neurons and their oscillatory dynamics during both spatial learning and memory and in “offline periods” of rest and sleep. In two aims, we will test our central hypothesis that PAE induced perturbations to spatial learning and memory are a consequence of a loss in the expression of distinct hippocampal ensemble codes for place and their synchronization and organization within hippocampal oscillations during rest and sleep. The aims of this R01 represent a critical step towards our long-term goal of identifying the neurobiological mechanisms of spatial learning and memory deficits after moderate PAE but will also provide critical insight into the systems-level impact of moderate PAE on hippocampal population activity. The relationship between hippocampal population activity and spatial learning and memory is well established in a wide range of species including humans. Thus, this proposal has the potential to provide a novel scientific framework whereby new strategies for interventions can be developed and tested in preclinical models but can also be developed for human patient populations.


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 = $282,334 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO	1 UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87131	BERNALILLO	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	4	1/15/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$282,334
														Subtotal = $282,334

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $315,145 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO	1700 LOMAS BLVD NE STE 2200	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87131	BERNALILLO	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	1/18/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$283,631
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO	1700 LOMAS BLVD NE STE 2200	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87131	BERNALILLO	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	3	5/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$31,514
														Subtotal = $315,145

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $315,631 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, THE	1700 LOMAS BLVD NE STE 2200	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87106	BERNALILLO	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	1/31/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$315,631
														Subtotal = $315,631

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $328,879 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, THE	1700 LOMAS BLVD NE STE 2200	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87106	BERNALILLO	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	2/22/2022	NEW	$328,879
														Subtotal = $328,879

Grand Total All Awards = $1,241,989

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Neural Basis of Spatial Memory Deficits After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Award Number: R01AA029700

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/22/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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