This study will leverage extracted leukocyte DNA specimens from a completed NIH-funded project to examine the efficacy of a behavioral intervention model that reduced stimulant use on DNA methylation over 6 months.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
53
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, United States
Neuroimmune Signaling
Decreased methylation of genes for genes relevant to neuroimmune signaling such as beta-2 (β2) adrenergic (i.e., ADRB2), glucocorticoid (i.e., NR3C1 and FKBP5), and oxytocin (i.e., OXTR) receptors as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoters.
Time frame: 6 Months
DNA Methylation Pathways
Pathway Analyses examining alterations in methylation patterns relevant to immune and neural function.
Time frame: 6 Months
Immune Dysfunction
Soluble makers of monocyte activation such as soluble CD14 (sCD14) and inflammation such as soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor - Alpha Receptors I and II (sTNF-aRI and sTNF-aRII)
Time frame: 6 Month
Dysregulated Metabolism of Amino Acid Precursors for Neurotransmitters measured via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Using HPLC, higher kynurenine/tryptophan (K/T) ratio indexes catabolism of tryptophan into kynurenine and other downstream catabolites versus serotonin over 6 months. Using HPLC, the phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio reflects decreased metabolism of tyrosine into catecholamines such as dopamine over 6 months.
Time frame: 6 Months
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