Gustavo A. Angarita, MD, MHS
Associate Professor of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
Publications
2026
Widespread synaptic density loss in schizophrenia follows molecular and network architecture
Chopra S, Worhunsky P, Naganawa M, Zhang X, Segal A, Labache L, Orchard E, Cropley V, Wood S, Angarita G, Cosgrove K, Matuskey D, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson R, Esterlis I, Skosnik P, D’Souza D, Holmes A, Radhakrishnan R. Widespread synaptic density loss in schizophrenia follows molecular and network architecture. Molecular Psychiatry 2026, 1-12. PMID: 42350786, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-026-03717-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGray matter volume alterationsLeft hemisphereVolume alterationsInferior frontal areasSynaptic pathologySynaptic density lossAnatomical magnetic resonance imagingConverging neuroimagingLeft-lateralisedNeurochemical systemsSchizophrenia pathogenesisSchizophreniaPost-mortem evidenceHippocampal areaFrontal areasNetwork diffusion modelSynaptic densityHealthy controlsMagnetic resonance imagingIn vivo evidenceDensity alterationsResonance imagingSource of pathologyHemisphereDensity lossReversible alterations of brain acetate metabolism associated with alcohol consumption
Kumaragamage C, Jiang L, Angarita G, de Graaf R, Guidone E, Coppoli A, Behar K, Gulanski B, Pittman B, Weinzimer S, Rothman D, Krystal J, Mason G. Reversible alterations of brain acetate metabolism associated with alcohol consumption. Neuropsychopharmacology 2026, 1-9. PMID: 42218273, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-026-02455-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAlcohol use disorderAlcohol use disorder patientsGlutamate-glutamine neurotransmitter cyclingMedically supervised detoxificationsHeavy drinkersAlcohol consumptionWithin-subject comparisonsLD participantsWeeks abstinenceBrain glucose uptakeUse disorderTreatment-seekingLight drinkersGlutamate-glutamineMagnetic resonance spectroscopyMonths to levelsGlutamate-glutamine cycleNeurotransmitter cyclingGroup effectCerebral metabolic rateDrinkersAbstinenceLong-term recoveryBrainParticipantsImpulsivity, reward sensitivity, and dopamine 2/3 receptors availability in people with cocaine use disorder: A [11C]PHNO PET study
Mayeli M, Worhunsky P, Carson R, Potenza M, Angarita G, Matuskey D. Impulsivity, reward sensitivity, and dopamine 2/3 receptors availability in people with cocaine use disorder: A [11C]PHNO PET study. Psychiatry Research 2026, 364: 117239. PMID: 42229023, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117239.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCocaine use disorderReceptor availabilityReward sensitivityBIS-11Use disorderCocaine use disorder individualsBarratt Impulsiveness ScaleBIS/BAS subscalesElevated impulsivityImpulsiveness ScaleReward responsivenessVentral striatumNeurobiological markersAddictive disordersImpulsive tendenciesDopaminergic dysfunctionDopaminergic regulationPsychometric measuresMotivational traitsGroup differencesBehavioral tendenciesHC groupDopamineMotivation scoresAmygdalaContingency Management for Stimulant-Opioid Co-Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Jegede O, Oliva H, Prudente T, Rash C, Muvvala S, Angarita G. Contingency Management for Stimulant-Opioid Co-Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2026 PMID: 42109226, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchContingency managementCo-useDuration of continuous abstinenceLong durationMeta-analysisTreatment retentionUrine toxicology samplesOpioid use disorderRandom-effects meta-analysesRandomized Controlled TrialsOpioid usePrimary opioidSubgroup analysisTreatment strategiesWeb of ScienceOpioidContinuous abstinenceOpioid epidemicFentanyl exposureCochrane LibraryUse disorderControlled TrialsAbstinence outcomesUrine samplesPRISMA guidelinesProtocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between opioid exposure and dopaminergic measures in humans assessed by nuclear medicine imaging
Shatalov Y, Prudente T, Oliva H, Shamabadi A, Potenza M, Angarita G. Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between opioid exposure and dopaminergic measures in humans assessed by nuclear medicine imaging. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2026, 17: 1800420. PMID: 42147016, PMCID: PMC13173459, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1800420.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsDopamine D2 receptor (DOpioid use disorderSubstance use disordersDopaminergic measuresSingle-photon Emission Computed TomographyPositron emission tomographyUse disorderHuman positron emission tomographyDopaminergic system functionImpact of methodological variablesChronic opioid exposureOpioid exposureM-opioid receptorDrug seekingDopaminergic dysregulationReward processingDopamine releaseDopamine signalingTreatment retentionDopaminergic markersMeta-analysisSystematic reviewNeuroimaging findingsPeer-reviewed studiesDopamineActigraphy-based sleep outcomes in substance use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Paredes Naveda A, Oliva H, Pulido-Saavedra A, Ghadimi D, Moore J, Morgan P, Potenza M, Angarita G. Actigraphy-based sleep outcomes in substance use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2026, 88: 102297. PMID: 42030609, DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102297.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsAlcohol use disorderSubstance use disordersUse disorderMeta-analysisNicotine use disorderSleep outcomesOpioid use disorderSleep architecture analysisSleep disturbanceTotal sleep timeDiagnosis of sleep disordersSubjective sleep measuresSubjective sleep disturbanceSubjective sleep outcomesPoorer sleep qualityInclusion criteriaSleep disordersSleep onsetSleep parametersSleep timeNaturalistic assessmentAvailable evidenceSleep measuresSystematic reviewSleep assessmentSafety, tolerability, and drug-drug interactions of NYX-783 and oxycodone in persons using opioids recreationally: Preliminary results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 study
Harvanek Z, Mignosa M, Kitaneh R, Oliva H, Borelli A, Dauginikas E, Fogelman N, Sakmar E, Taylor J, DiLeone R, Sinha R, Angarita G. Safety, tolerability, and drug-drug interactions of NYX-783 and oxycodone in persons using opioids recreationally: Preliminary results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2026, 279: 113041. PMID: 41604752, PMCID: PMC12924154, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug-drug interactionsOpioid use disorderDouble-blindAdverse eventsDrug effectsSubjective drug effectsPlacebo-controlled phase 1 studyPositive allosteric modulatorsPhase 1 studyDiastolic blood pressureUse disorderOxycodone dosePrimary endpointInpatient studyOpioid useSynaptic plasticityPlasma levelsContext of opioid useOxycodoneAllosteric modulatorsPupillary dilationBlood pressureNovel treatmentRespiratory safetyHealthy humansHigher drinking frequency corresponds to lower synaptic density in people with alcohol use disorder
Zakiniaeiz Y, Raval N, Riordan W, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Pittman B, Matuskey D, Angarita G, Bonomi R, McKee S, Hillmer A, Cosgrove K. Higher drinking frequency corresponds to lower synaptic density in people with alcohol use disorder. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2026, 136: e199989. PMID: 41528802, PMCID: PMC13038192, DOI: 10.1172/jci199989.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThis study investigates how chronic alcohol use reduces brain synaptic density in key regions, linking greater drinking frequency to more severe synaptic deficits and cognitive impairments.Actigraphy-based sleep outcomes in substance use disorders: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Paredes Naveda A, Oliva H, Ghadimi D, Angarita G. Actigraphy-based sleep outcomes in substance use disorders: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE 2026, 21: e0340595. PMID: 41499544, PMCID: PMC12779124, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340595.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsNon-randomized studiesSubstance use disordersRisk of biasUse disorderSystematic reviewProspective Register for Systematic ReviewsMeta-analysisDiagnosis of substance useRelapse riskSubstance use disorder populationsSleep outcomesSleep-wake characteristicsWeb of ScienceMatched ControlsGold standardEligibility criteriaRest-activity patternsInternational Prospective Register for Systematic ReviewsIndependent reviewersFull-text screeningNon-randomized studies of exposureStudy sleepIntervention studiesSleepSleep disturbanceSleep alterations in substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Oliva H, Prudente T, Naveda A, Monteiro-Junior R, Potenza M, Morgan P, Angarita G. Sleep alterations in substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2026, 91: 103723. PMID: 41552000, PMCID: PMC12805338, DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103723.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsThis study investigates sleep disturbances in substance use disorders, showing reduced sleep quality and duration vary by substance, potentially influencing relapse and recovery outcomes.
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Brain Imaging and Synaptic Plasticity
IRB ID2000029552RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2026Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 60 yearsEligibility for Participation in Neuroimaging Studies
IRB ID2000027842RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsHPA axis function in the brains of PTSD, Trauma Exposed, or Otherwise Healthy research participants utilizing PET and MRI imaging
IRB ID2000028748RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 55 yearsStudying the Adult Brain
IRB ID2000025671RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date07/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsImaging the Dopamine Transporter in Parkinson's Disease
IRB ID2000023896RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2020Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge40+ years
Clinical Care
Overview
Gustavo A. Angarita, MD, specializes in psychiatry with a focus on addiction psychiatry, particularly related to cocaine addiction. He is the director of the Yale Cocaine Research Clinic, inpatient chief of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, and the medical director of the Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic.
Dr. Angarita is dedicated to understanding and treating substance use disorders, aiming to develop effective treatments for cocaine dependence. As an assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, his research interests include the regulation of cocaine self-administration, validation of remote wireless sensor network technology for detecting cocaine use, and investigating cocaine-induced sleep deficits and their therapeutic effects.
Dr. Angarita received his medical degree from Universidad Militar Nueva Granada. He completed a research fellowship in addictions at Harvard Medical School, followed by a residency in adult psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He continued his specialization with a clinical and research fellowship in addictions psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Clinical Specialties
Psychiatry
News
News
- July 01, 2026
Bassir Nia, Co-Investigators to Study Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Availability in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
- May 12, 2026Source: Journal of Addiction Medicine
Contingency Management for Stimulant-Opioid Co-Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- January 29, 2026Source: eClinical Medicine
Sleep Alterations in Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- January 20, 2026
Yale Study: Higher Drinking Frequency Corresponds to Lower Synaptic Density in People with Alcohol Use Disorder
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