About the Project
This project seeks to understand the neural substrates involved in implicit associative processes through the imaging of drug-relevant memory associations that have been shown to consistently correlate with and predict levels of drug use. To observe neural activity, the project involves functional imaging (fMRI) of marijuana associations during performance on the Implicit Association Test (IAT) among marijuana dependent individuals and a comparison group of healthy controls. By eliciting activation of associative drug-relevant memories through performance on this indirect test of association, it may be possible to increase our understanding of individual differences in associative structures that influence drug use behavior outside of conscious awareness.
Investigators
Susan L. Ames, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Email address: susan.ames@cgu.edu
Alan Stacy, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator
Email address: alan.stacy@cgu.edu
Ongoing Activities
This research project is currently in the process of recruiting and assessing subjects. For more information, please contact Amy Custer at amy.custer@cgu.edu.
Findings
Data collection and analysis is currently ongoing. For more information, please contact Amy Custer at amy.custer@cgu.edu.
Acknowlegements
Funding for Functional Imaging of Implicit Marijuana Associations during IAT Performance was provided by Award Number R03DA024772 from the National Institute On Drug Abuse. The content displayed is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute On Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.