What is the NIDA Center for Genetic Studies (NGC)?
A2. In September 1998, NIDA issued a Request for Applications (RFA) entitled “RFA DA-99-003: Genetics of Drug Addiction Vulnerability” to identify human chromosomal regions containing genes that confer susceptibility to drug abuse and addiction and related behaviors. The principal investigators of the studies funded under this RFA formed the initial membership of the NGC, and other investigators have subsequently joined. The NGC investigators represent multiple institutions, use diverse approaches and study designs, and are required to meet twice yearly to discuss issues related to the collection and analyses of data from human genetic studies on drug addiction. The overarching goals of the NGC are to identify genetic factors involved in drug addiction and addiction vulnerability, and to create a database on the human molecular genetics of drug addiction for sharing among members and the broader scientific community. Toward this end, NGC members collect anonymized data on family struct
