# Neuromelanin sensitive MRI as a novel, non-invasive index of dopamine function in adolescent-onset substance users

> **NIH NIH R21** · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · 2020 · $239,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT
 Chronic drug use is associated with low levels of dopamine release in the striatum. Despite the
importance to translational science, the developmental course of low dopamine function is unknown. For
instance, it is fundamentally unclear in humans whether low dopamine function precedes or follows from
substance use, if rate of divergence in substance-exposed youth is slow or rapid, or if there are differential
effects by gender or by pattern of substance use. The primary obstacles are that 1.) Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) imaging cannot be utilized in pediatric populations to track early changes in dopamine
function, and 2.) there is no developmentally-appropriate alternative imaging method. Translational science
awaits a valid index of a dopamine-related biosynthesis pathway for assessing normal developmental
trajectories in youth, as well as deviation before, during, and after onset of substance use. Recently, we found
that a neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI) sequence yields a direct index of
dopamine release in the striatum. Unlike PET imaging, NM-MRI does not involve radiation exposure and is
appropriate for pediatric populations. We have also observed that NM-MRI signal is detected as early as 11
years of age. This R21 application proposes to collect NM-MRI in 160 20-22 year-olds, an age group that is
transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Our aim is to establish a definitive link between NM-MRI level and
total lifetime substance use. Total lifetime substance use will be carefully assessed by semi-structured
interview and quantified dimensionally using factor analysis. We will also explore gender differences and
identify if specific aspects of substance use differentially impact NM-MRI level over and above total exposure
(e.g., age of onset). The women will be recruited from an existing cohort allowing us to test the link using
prospective (archival), as well as retrospective (newly collected), substance use data. The men will be newly
recruited and allow for a test of gender differences. Positive results will be novel evidence of a link between
early-course dopaminergic disturbance and adolescent-onset substance use. This would support use of NM-
MRI to describe synergistic links between dopamine function and adolescent substance use prospectively in a
new pediatric study. Indeed, NM-MRI is a promising new tool for dopamine research where PET imaging is not
feasible due cost, access to facilities, health risk, or age of sample.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955230
- **Project number:** 5R21DA049041-02
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- **Principal Investigator:** Greg Perlman
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $239,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-15 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955230

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955230, Neuromelanin sensitive MRI as a novel, non-invasive index of dopamine function in adolescent-onset substance users (5R21DA049041-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955230. Licensed CC0.

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