Animal models of Addiction and relapse -
Dr. Ginsburg has expertise in animal models of addiction and relapse. In particular, Dr. Ginsburg has ongoing projects designed to improve the face and predictive validity of these models. In an R01 awarded by NIAAA, Dr. Ginsburg has developed an innovative model of recovery and relapse using the same technique currently employed in behavioral therapy of addiction (differential reinforcement of alternative behavior). Published manuscripts from this project and others also establish Dr. Ginsburgs expertise in choice procedures in animals and their application to problems related to addiction. In an R01 funded by NIAAA,in which Dr. Ginsburg is a co-investigator, Dr. Ginsburg has worked collaboratively with Dr. R.J. Lamb and Martin Javors to examine the effects of serotonergic drugs on alcohol self-administration. This project also examines the impact that providing animals with a choice between ethanol and food have on potential pharmacotherapies for alcoholism. In an R03 awarded by NIDA, Dr. Ginsburg has established and published collaborative projects with Dr. Lance McMahon investigating the behavioral pharmacology of various cannabinoids. This project also resulted in a collaborative project with Dr. Julie Hensler in which the neurobiology of cannabinoids was examined. This work is included in a manuscript in preparation. An R03 funded by NIAAA allowed Dr. Ginsburg to further develop his research on behavioral models of alcoholism. Finally, Dr. Ginsburg is currently involved in two collaborative projects related to the neurobiology of choice and addiction. One project, funded by the San Antonio Life Sciences Initiative, Dr. Ginsburgs R01, and Dr. Carlos Paladinis (UTSA) R01, combines optogenetic procedures with sophisticated behavioral procedures. This project is establishing an innovative, cutting edge collaboration between UTHSCSA and UTSA and provide exciting new data pertaining to the biological bases of choice and addiction. Now, Dr. Ginsburg is extending his expertise in the neurobiology of addiction into clinical applications through a collaboration with Dr. Alexander Pappanastasiou in the Department of Neurosurgery. This collaboration is planning the development of animal models and human interventions involving deep brain stimulation for the treatment of intractable addiction. |
COMFA (Computer-assisted Molecular Field Analysis) -
Utilized results of cyclic AMP and receptor binding assays in conjunction with SYBIL software to predict binding site characteristics of dopamine and serotonin receptors. |
Drug Discrimination -
Trained and maintained rats to discriminate ethanol from saline. Assessed the similarity of neurosteroids to the discriminative effects of ethanol as well as possible antagonism. |
Electrophysiology -
Utilized Xenopus oocyte whole cell clamping to measure ion flow through expressed CFTR chloride channel constructs. |
GC -
Ran rodent breath samples on a gas chromatograph to separate and quantify ethanol. |
HPLC -
Constructed and maintained high performance liquid chromatography systems (BAS, inc. and ESA, inc.) utilizing electrochemical detection of monoamine neurotransmitters. |
Molecular Biology -
Constructed mutant CFTR chloride channels and expressed constructs in Xenopus oocytes. |
Motor Behavior -
Utilized open-field locomotor behavior, as well as ataxia on an inverted screen, catalepsy on a raised bar, and loss of righting reflex to assess drug effects in mice. |
Mouse Breathalyzer -
Developed an assay to sample and analyze breath ethanol levels in the mouse. Involved in restraint design, training, and assay validation. |
Operant Behavior -
Trained and maintained mice, rats, pigeons, and non-human primates on drug (ethanol, cocaine), shock, and food reinforced operant behaviors. Schedules utilized include fixed ratio, fixed interval, and second order (fixed ratio embedded in fixed interval). |
Radioimmunoassay -
Performed cyclic AMP assay to assess efficacy of and dopamine and serotonin agonists. |
Rat Breathalyzer -
Developed an assay to sample and analyze breath ethanol levels in the rat. Involved in rat restraint design, rat training, and assay validation. |
Software Design -
Wrote novel software for operant behavior test chambers utilizing Med Associates MedPC system. Schedules written include: Fixed Interval, Fixed Ratio, Second Order, Progressive Ratio and Hand Training. |
in vivo Microdialysis -
Implanted bilateral guide cannulae (CMA/Microdialysis) targeting caudate or nucleus accumbens in squirrel monkeys. Performed experiments monitoring neurotransmitter levels in the caudate of awake squirrel monkeys. |
Journal Article |
| Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Shifts in discriminative control with increasing periods of recovery in the rat Alcoholism: Experimental and Clinical Research 2012 Oct;.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. A history of alternative reinforcement reduces stimulus generalization of ethanol-seeking in a rat recovery model Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2012 Oct;.
|
| Hruba L, Ginsburg BC, McMahon LR. Apparent Inverse Relationship between Cannabinoid Agonist Efficacy and Tolerance/Cross-Tolerance Produced by {Delta}9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Treatment in Rhesus Monkeys Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2012 Sep;342(3):843-849.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Pinkston JW, Lamb RJ. The potency of fluvoxamine to reduce ethanol self-administration decreases with concurrent availability of food Behav Pharmacol 2012 Apr;23(2):134-142.
|
| Ginsburg BC, McMahon LR, Sanchez JJ, Javors MA. Purity of synthetic cannabinoids sold online for recreational use J Anal Toxicol 2012 Feb;36(1):66-68.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Schulze DR, Hruba L, McMahon LR. JWH-018 and JWH-073: {Delta}9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Like Discriminative Stimulus Effects in Monkeys J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012 Jan;340(1):37-45.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Pinkston JW, Lamb RJ. Reinforcement magnitude modulation of rate dependent effects in pigeons and rats Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2011 Aug;19(4):285-294.
|
| Pinkston JW, Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Examination of reinforcement magnitude on the pharmacological disruption of fixed-ratio performance Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2009 Aug;17(4):237-246.
|
| Pinkston JW, Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Examination of reinforcement magnitude on the pharmacological disruption of fixed-ratio performance Experimental & Clinical Psychopharmacology 2009 Jan;17:237-246.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Reinforcement magnitude modulation of rate-dependent effects of fluvoxamine and desipramine in the rat Behav Pharmacol 2008 Dec;19(8):829-835.
|
| McMahon LR, Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Cannabinoid agonists differentially substitute for the discriminative stimulus effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in C57BL/6J mice Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008 Jul;198(4):487-495.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Javors MA, Friesenhahn G, Frontz M, Martinez G, Hite T, Lamb RJ. Mouse breathalyzer Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2008 Jul;32(7):1181-1185.
|
| Lamb RJ, Ginsburg BC. Reinforcement magnitude modulates the rate-dependent effects of fluvoxamine and desipramine on fixed-interval responding in the pigeon Behav Pharmacol 2008 Feb;19(1):51-60.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Martinez G, Friesenhahn G, Javors M, Lamb RJ. Acute tolerance to rate-decreasing effects of single doses of ethanol Physiol Behav 2008 Feb;.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Taurine and ethanol interactions: behavioral effects in mice Eur J Pharmacol 2008 Jan;578(2-3):228-237.
|
Book Chapter |
| Javors MA, King TS, Ginsburg BC, Gerak LR. Neurobehavioral toxicology of substances of abuse. In: Johnson BA. Addiction Medicine: Science and Practice. New York City, New York: Springer Science and Business Media, LLC; 2011. p. 283-323.
|
| Ginsburg BC, Gerak LR, McMahon LR, Roache JD. Neurosteroids in alcohol and substance use. In: Ritsner MS, Weizman A. Neuroactive Steroids in Brain Function, Behavioral and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Novel Strategies for Research and Treatment. New York, NY: Springer; 2008. p. 507-536.
|
Abstract |
| Ginsburg BC. Attention, Motivation, and Relapse; 2012 Jun. (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; vol. 36, no. 6).
|
| Ginsburg BC. It takes a lot to relapse it takes a train to stay dry; 2011 Mar. (Annual Meeting of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience).
|
| McMahon LR, Schulze DR, Ginsburg BC. Effects of the cannabinoid JWH-018, a primary component of K2/Spice, in rhesus monkeys; 2011 Jan. (College on Problems of Drug Dependence).
|
| Ginsburg BC. A new model of relapse; 2010 Nov. (Pharmacology Seminar Series; Pharmacology Graduate Program; The University of Texas at Austin).
|
| Ginsburg BC. The Busy Rat: A new model of relapse; 2010 Jun. (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; vol. 32, no. 6).
|
| Ginsburg BC. Effects of Varenicline on behaviors maintained by food and ethanol; 2009 Jun. (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; vol. 33, no. 6).
|
| Ginsburg BC. Varenicline, a nicotinic partial agonist, selectively reduces ethanol self-administration in a within-subjects design; 2009 Jun. (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; vol. 33, no. 6).
|
| Ginsburg BC. Varenicline (Chantix) Selectively Reduces Ethanol Self-administration in a Within-Subjects Procedure; 2009 May. (Biological Psychiatry Annual Meeting).
|
| Ginsburg BC. Reinstatement of responding for ethanol suppressed by an alternative choice rather than extinction; 2008 Jun. (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; vol. 32, no. 6).
|
Federal |
| Funding Agency |
NIDA |
| Title |
Training in Drug Abuse Research: Behavior and Neurobiology |
| Status |
Active |
| Period |
7/2011 - 6/2016 |
| Role |
Contributor |
| Grant Detail |
This postdoctoral training program builds on a rapidly growing community of drug and alcohol abuse researchers and trainees at UTHSCSA. The well recognized need for addiction scientists with interdisciplinary training is addressed by this program in which trainees conduct research on collaborative projects spanning more than one laboratory and more than one experimental approach. An experienced Program Director along with 17 other preceptors and an expert External Advisory Committee will oversee the progress and further growth of drug and alcohol abuse training at UTHSCSA. |
| Funding Agency |
NIH |
| Title |
Reinstatement of drug-maintained behaviors suppressed by extinction or an available alternative |
| Status |
Active |
| Period |
7/2008 - 6/2012 |
| Role |
Principal Investigator |
| Grant Detail |
This is an R01 awarded by NIAAA to develop an innovative model of recovery and relapse that may have greater clinical relevance that currently used procedures. This award has resulted in two submitted manuscripts and two in preparation. |
| Funding Agency |
NIAAA |
| Title |
Fluvoxamine on Rat Ethanol Self Administration |
| Status |
Active |
| Period |
4/2002 - 3/2012 |
| Role |
Co-Investigator |
| Grant Detail |
This is a competing renewal of a grant. This grant has led to numerous publications, and was renewed based on the productivity and collaboration of Drs. Ginsburg and Lamb. The goal of this grant is to examine the role of serotonin in ethanol self-administration and alcoholism. |
Private |
| Funding Agency |
Private donor |
| Title |
Alcoholism Breakthrough Endowed Research Fund |
| Status |
Active |
| Period |
8/2007 - 8/2017 |
| Role |
Principal Investigator |
| Grant Detail |
This is a private endowed research fund donated to promote Dr. Ginsburgs basic research aimed at improving alcoholism outcomes. Dr. Ginsburg was selected as the recipient by the private donor on the basis of his innovative work related to alcoholism and relapse. This endowment has supported work included in several publications. |
State |
| Funding Agency |
San Antonio Life Sciences Initiative |
| Title |
SALSI Reinforcement, Reward and Addiction |
| Status |
Active |
| Period |
6/2010 - Present |
| Role |
Co-Investigator |
| Grant Detail |
This is a collaborative project with Dr. Carlos Paladini at UTSA Department of Biology to integrate optogenetic techniques with behavioral techniques to study addiction. Optogenetics is a cutting edge technology that allows precise control of activation and inhibition of discrete brain regions. By paring this with cutting edge behavioral procedures to study choice between drug and food, the role of various brain regions in the behavior can be clarified. This project has resulted in the generation of pilot data in support of a NIH grant application in preparation. |