Translational Addiction Research Laboratory

Section Head

Contact

Dr. Bernard Le Foll
Translational Addiction Research Laboratory
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
33 Russell Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1
bernard_lefoll@camh.net

Research Objective

Discoveries in basic science are linked to clinical applications to improve the understanding and treatment of nicotine dependence.

Summary of Activities

Translating research findings into practice closes the gap between basic science and clinical practice. The research focuses on smoking and nicotine dependence using diverse approaches ranging from preclinical models, to brain imaging, to examining the neurobiological factors underlying addictive behaviours. Scientists in this section are also collaborating with colleagues at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the United States on basic research related to smokers and their addiction to nicotine.

Preclinical research

A number of procedures, including drug administration, conditioned place preference, and drug self-administration are being used to evaluate novel medications in preclinical models. This research examines the potential utility of dopamine D₃ receptors and cannabinoid CB₁ ligands for the treatment of drug dependence.

Clinical research

A clinical project, in collaboration with colleagues at CAMH’s Addictions Program, is evaluating a novel treatment approach for smokers.

Neurobiology research

Studies of the neurobiological factors underlying tobacco dependence involve collaboration with several scientists, both inside and outside of CAMH. These include: genetic studies to determine whether polymorphisms of the dopamine DRD₃ gene play a role in an individual’s vulnerability to tobacco dependence; and brain imaging projects using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology to explore the changes of dopamine receptor expression and function in the brain of smokers.