2001 — 2002 |
Ris, M Douglas |
P01Activity Code Description: For the support of a broadly based, multidisciplinary, often long-term research program which has a specific major objective or a basic theme. A program project generally involves the organized efforts of relatively large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects or components of this objective. Each research project is usually under the leadership of an established investigator. The grant can provide support for certain basic resources used by these groups in the program, including clinical components, the sharing of which facilitates the total research effort. A program project is directed toward a range of problems having a central research focus, in contrast to the usually narrower thrust of the traditional research project. Each project supported through this mechanism should contribute or be directly related to the common theme of the total research effort. These scientifically meritorious projects should demonstrate an essential element of unity and interdependence, i.e., a system of research activities and projects directed toward a well-defined research program goal. |
Early Exposure to Lead and Adult Antisocial Outcome @ Children's Hospital Med Ctr (Cincinnati)
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant) Lead exposure and antisocial behavior are both major public health concerns. Recent research indicates that early exposure to environmental lead is associated with increased risk for delinquency. However, there is, as yet, no scientific evidence to indicate whether or not this increased risk extends into adulthood. Nor is there a clear understanding of what neurobehavioral factors mediate the relationship between lead and antisocial behavior. The investigators propose to assess the adult outcome of 280 participants in the Cincinnati Lead Study; a birth cohort whose development and exposure history have been exquisitely tracked for over 20 years. Outcome will be measured in three ways to insure accuracy and comprehensiveness. First, to assess criminal activities, Official Records will be accessed through County agencies and the National Crime Information Center. Second, to diagnose Antisocial Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorder, a structured psychiatric interview will be performed. And third, self-report measures will be used, including the Self-Report of Delinquent Behavior, to measure various law- and norm-violating behaviors. Neuropsychological measurements undertaken on the sample in late adolescence will be used to explore neurobehavioral mediating factors. Self-regulatory/executive abilities and academic skills are at risk in both the delinquent and lead exposed youth leading the investigators to propose these as critical mediational pathways. A better understanding of the remote behavioral effects of early lead exposure will allow the investigators to develop primary prevention methods (both environmental and cognitive/educational) that will alter the developmental trajectories of large numbers of lead-exposed youths.
|
0.988 |
2005 — 2010 |
Ris, M Douglas |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Neurobehavioral Late-Effects in Pediatric Brain Tumors @ Children's Hospital Med Ctr (Cincinnati)
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Significant neurobehavioral sequelae of radiotherapy (RT) in children treated for brain tumors is well-documented and is of increasing concern as larger numbers of such children become long-term survivors. Research on long-term outcomes has promoted the development of RT techniques and protocols that attempt to reduce this morbidity. Further understanding of RT late-effects, though, requires improvements in how we characterized radiation delivered to the brain. Recent technical advances in radiation ontology that permit detailed examination of dose heterogeneity throughout the brain offer new possibilities for improving our models of outcome. One index that shows considerable promise is Integral Biologically effective Dose (IBED). IBED combines numerous RT parameters (dose, volume, fractionation, biological effect) into a Single index for the entire brain or for designated volumes/structures. In this proposal we describe a novel approach to studying outcome that improves upon existing research in three ways: (a) the use of IBED as a index of radiation insult, (b) an improved neurobehavioral measurement strategy that focuses on three crucial constructs (Attention, Processing Speed, and Working Memory), and (e) the use of sophisticated, multimodal imaging techniques (MR Volumetrics, Spectroscopy, and Diffusion Imaging) to measure late-effects on brain composition. This prospective study will be conducted at two sites (Cincinnati and Columbus) enrolling and following children for up to four yeas who have been treated for brain tumors. It will address neurobehavioral imaging changes for participants treated with RT compared to those treated without RT (Specific Aim 1), IBED as a predictor of neurobehavioral and imaging changes over time (Specific Aims 2 & 3), and the relationship between neurobehavioral and imaging changes (Specific Aim 4). The results of this study promise to improve our knowledge and prediction of radiation-related late-effects, which in turn will guide further improvements in RT techniques. It will also provide important information about the development of vulnerable neurobehavioral functions, how they might be protected/preserved, and where to focus early interventions to limit functional morbidity.
|
0.988 |