House Appropriations FY 08 Report Language on Behavioral Science

National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome IC/PBS--The Committee is concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding the definition of IC and suggests that NIDDK host a meeting of international IC experts that specifically addresses these issues to update its research criteria and clarify its investigative questions on IC. The Committee encourages NIDDK to support research in areas that examine predisposition/risk factors, underlying cellular and molecular pathology of IC/PBS and the association/cross-sensitization of IC/PBS with other disorders/diseases. The Committee also suggests that NIDDK fund translational research in IC/PBS that would include pilot therapy testing and early intervention of lifestyle/ behavioral changes to prevent/lessen symptoms. The Committee encourages NIDDK to take an active role in ongoing studies of the epidemiology of IC in order to address design issues and to
ensure the consultation of outside experts.

National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism
Underage drinking -- The Committee commends NIAAA for its inter-disciplinary approach to understanding and addressing underage drinking within the context of overall physical development. The Committee is aware that this framework formed the scientific foundation of the "Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking." The Committee further commends NIAAA for spearheading research to address key aspects of underage drinking. This includes research projects to engage health care systems in identifying and addressing underage drinking, particularly in rural areas. NIAAA is also supporting projects to address fundamental questions about the impact of child and adolescent alcohol consumption on the developing brain including: (1) what are the effects (both long and shorter-term) of alcohol exposure on the developing brain; (2) what is the effect of timing, dose and duration of alcohol exposure on brain development; and (3) to what extent do these effects resolve or persist.

National Institute On Drug Abuse
Drug abuse and crime -- The Committee is very concerned about the well-known connections between drug use and crime. Research continues to demonstrate that providing treatment to individuals involved in the criminal justice system significantly decreases future drug use and criminal behavior, while improving social functioning. The Committee strongly supports NIDA's efforts in this area, particularly the criminal justice drug abuse treatment studies (CJ-DATS).

HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. -- The Committee understands that drug abuse and addiction continue to fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS in the United States and abroad, and that drug abuse prevention and treatment interventions can be very effective in reducing HIV risk. Research should continue to examine every aspect of HIV/ AIDS, drug abuse, and addiction, including risk behaviors associated with both injection and non-injection drug abuse, how drugs of abuse alter brain function and impair decision making, and HIV prevention and treatment strategies for diverse groups. The Committee applauds the Institute for holding a spring 2007 conference titled "Drug Abuse and Risky Behaviors: The Evolving Dynamics of HIV/AIDS," and urges the Institute to continue supporting research that focuses on developing and testing drug abuse-related interventions designed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS

National Institute Of Mental Health
Mission -- NIMH is responsible for research activities that seek to improve diagnosis, treatments, and overall quality of care for persons with mental illnesses. Disorders of high priority to NIMH include schizophrenia, depression and manic depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders and other mental and behavioral disorders that occur across the lifespan; these include childhood mental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder; eating disorders; and other illnesses.
NIMH supports and conducts fundamental research in neuroscience, genetics, and behavioral science. In addition to laboratory and controlled clinical studies, the NIMH supports research on the mental health needs of special populations and health services research.

Office Of Behavioral And Social Sciences Research
The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) provides leadership and direction for the development of a trans- NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for behavioral and social science research and in defining an overall strategy for the integration of these disciplines across NIH institutes and centers; develops initiatives to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences arena and to integrate a biobehavioral perspective across the research areas of NIH; and promotes studies to evaluate the contributions of behavioral, social and lifestyle determinants in the development, course, treatment, and prevention of illness and related public health problems.