The science behind drug addiction: blocking the euphoria, halting the demand Production of certain molecules in the brain causes feelings of ecstasy or melancholy, Dr. Mike Ebadi explains. His team of researchers will use the new technology in the Positron Imaging Research Laboratory “to determine if the action of a specific molecule, dopamine, could be blocked, and therefore eliminate the euphoric effect. If that action can be interrupted, we could eliminate the continuing, overwhelming desire — and thus the demand — for the drug,” he said. (Photo: Chuck Kimmerle/University Relations)

Positron Imaging Laboratory positions UND as a leader for research in neurodegenerative diseases, drug addiction

A new $4 million, high-tech laboratory at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences holds promise for advances in brain research to stem the tide of drug addiction and alleviate the effects of debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson’s.

The Positron Imaging Research Laboratory houses highly sophisticated equipment which will be used by biomedical researchers to explore the brains of laboratory mice in an effort to better understand the causes of drug addiction and diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other diseases of the central nervous system.

Formally dedicated in March, the laboratory was funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Funds were used to renovate space for the laboratory in the basement of the medical school and to purchase a microPET (positron emission tomography) scanner, a cyclotron, and associated radiopharmaceutical equipment.

The state-of-the-art microPET “brain camera” is part of the school’s Center of Excellence in Neuroscience, headed by Dr. Manuchair (Mike) Ebadi, associate dean for research and program development at the medical school and associate vice president for health affairs.
“We are using this new scanner to make extremely high-resolution pictures of the impact of cocaine and amphetamine on the brains of laboratory mice,” said Ebadi, “helping us to answer important scientific questions about drugs and the brain.”

“The creation of the Positron Imaging Research Laboratory at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences is another sign of the high esteem in which our researchers are held,” said Dr. H. David Wilson, dean of the school and vice president for health affairs. “Only the premiere research institutions in the country have been selected to receive equipment of this kind.”

With the installation of this equipment, the UND medical school is now part of a network of highly respected institutions which include Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brookhaven National Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Colorado, University of South Florida, Oregon Health and Science University, Emory University, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

“This opens the door for all sorts of research, into everything that affects the brain — from drug abuse to neurodegenerative diseases to control mechanisms related to obesity,” said Wilson. “The analogy would be like the farmer who has received a brand new piece of equipment; this equipment allows us to do things that we’ve never been able to do.”

The establishment of the laboratory here “does put the onus on us to use this equipment wisely and most effectively,” he added.

“I hope UND researchers, not just those in the medical school, will look at the equipment and think, ‘Ah, I could do this,’ as they consider ways this technology may be used to reach their research goals,” Wilson emphasized. “I would be delighted if this lab became so busy that we’d need someone to referee the schedule.”

While the neuroscientific research conducted at the medical school would benefit humanity in general, it is particularly relevant to the needs of North Dakota. Studies have shown that in North Dakota there is a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease, due to the longevity of its people and the agricultural nature of the state. Pesticides common to farming are suspected of playing a role in the incidence of Parkinson’s, which is about three times greater in agricultural states than in others.

Further, North Dakota has a high level of amphetamine addiction, which increases the users’ chances of developing Parkinson’s disease, Ebadi said.

In a more global sense, Parkinson’s is the second-most common progressive neurodegenerative disease with a prevalence of about 1 percent at the age of 65, increasing to 4.5 percent by the age of 85. To society, the condition accounts for a substantial burden of illness and cost, Ebadi noted. Compared with other illnesses, costs for Parkinson’s have been found to be higher, hospital admissions more likely, and hospital length-of-stay longer. Drug costs are three times higher for those with Parkinson’s disease.

Credit for building the Positron Imaging Research Laboratory is particularly due to Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) for helping to secure the funding for UND. He recommended to the chief scientist at the ONDCP, Dr. Al Brandenstein, that the UND medical school would qualify to receive this equipment. At the time of that conversation, Dorgan was serving as chairman of the Senate Treasury-General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, which was responsible for ONDCP’s budget.

“After learning about this deep-brain research potential from Dr. Brandenstein, I started thinking that UND would be a ‘good steward’ of this PET scanner equipment,” Dorgan said. “I’m so happy to be able to pair excellent brain power here at the UND medical school with excellent equipment. I have high hopes for what they might accomplish together for the field of medicine and for those suffering from any number of diseases this equipment may give us insight to.”

Said UND President Charles Kupchella, “We greatly appreciate Sen. Dorgan’s continued support of the University of North Dakota. Time and again his help in attracting critical funding and other resources has been crucial to our success. His work to secure this unique piece of equipment is particularly important as the School of Medicine and Health Sciences enhances its focus on brain-related research.”

According to Brandenstein, “The researchers at the University of North Dakota now have an important new tool that, we hope, will lead to effective new treatments for drug abuse.”

Said Dean Wilson, “This marks another major step in our goal of becoming a significant research center in the area of neuroscience. We are very fortunate that the federal government has chosen to make this investment in our research program, and we wish to thank our congressional delegation, especially Sen. Dorgan, for writing the legislation that made this funding available.

“The new Positron Imaging Research Laboratory meshes nicely with our focus on neuroscience, particularly brain functioning, most notably as it relates to drug use, especially illicit drugs. Dr. Ebadi is to be commended for his leadership in this endeavor,” he added.