# Translational Neuroscience Perspectives on Substance Abuse Prevention

> **NIH NIH R13** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2020 · $10,331

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 In recent years there have been notable advances in the biomedical sciences in identifying the
biological pathways that confer risk for or resilience to high-risk behaviors, such as substance
use disorders (SUDs). Of particular note are lines of neuroscientific enquiry that have helped to
identify the neurobiological mediators and moderators of SUD risk (e.g., changes in brain
structure, function, and connectivity that underlie SUD and related behaviors). The data
obtained from these studies is potentially highly relevant for the prevention of SUD, however,
the effective transfer and application of this knowledge from the neurosciences and related
biomedical fields to prevention science, and back again, is sorely lacking. Advances in the
integration of neuroscience and prevention (i.e., so-called “neuro-prevention”) are needed and
have the potential to inform the delineation of which types of intervention work for whom, why,
and under what circumstances. Such progress may lead to the development of more effective
and potentially better targeted preventive interventions for SUD. The work of the Program for
Translational Research on Adversity and Neurodevelopment (P-TRAN) at the Pennsylvania
State University is focused on this goal, aiming to promote a transdisciplinary, translational
neuroscience approach to the prevention of adverse outcomes. The translational arm of the P-
TRAN program focusses on the active transfer of knowledge regarding the neurodevelopmental
trajectories that underlie risk for SUD to the development, implementation, and scaling of
evidence-based prevention programs and related policies. To further advance this work and to
promote a neuro-prevention approach to SUD,
within P-TRAN and
to a wider cadre of
researchers whose work is or could be aligned with this framework, the P-TRAN network is
proposing to hold annual
or biennial
symposia that will convene relevant experts in the
biomedical and prevention sciences, as well as trainees in these domains. We are proposing to
utilize the R13 mechanism to support two
perspectives and empirical methods in an
initial
meetings that will integrate theoretical
attempt to
lay a foundation for
: (1) educational and
training opportunities in neuro-prevention for SUDs; (2) determining domains of neuroscientific
enquiry that may delineate neurobiological moderators and mediators of preventive strategies
for SUD; (3) considering novel prevention strategies that incorporate neurodevelopmental
factors; (4) identifying barriers to the adoption of a neuro-prevention approach to SUDs; and (5)
planning educational and collaborative opportunities that will elevate the field and prepare the
next generation of SUD researchers with research interests in neuro-prevention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9961548
- **Project number:** 5R13DA047833-02
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** DIANA H FISHBEIN
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $10,331
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9961548

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9961548, Translational Neuroscience Perspectives on Substance Abuse Prevention (5R13DA047833-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9961548. Licensed CC0.

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