MacKenzie Peltier, PhD
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Psychiatry
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Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. Peltier is a scientist-practitioner focused on the study of individual differences and the underlying mechanisms of substance use disorders (SUDs), with specific emphasis in understanding the sex differences at the intersection of SUDs and concurrent psychiatric disorders, most notably Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use. Her research evaluates novel, sex-responsive treatments for these disorders using human laboratory models of stress-induced substance use and also probes the relationship between SUD and psychiatric comorbidities via epidemiological data. Dr. Peltier is a Staff Psychologist at VA Connecticut Healthcare System, where she provides clinical care for Veterans with concurrent SUDs and PTSD.
Last Updated on June 09, 2026.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Yale School of Medicine (2019)
- PhD
- Louisiana State University, Clinical Psychology (2017)
- MA
- Louisiana State University, Psychology
- BA
- Emmanuel College, Psychology & English Communications
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Affect; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Drug-Seeking Behavior; Hormones; Mental Health; Neurosteroids; Nicotiana; Pregnant People; Psychology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Substance-Related Disorders; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Veterans; Women
ORCID
0000-0002-8211-4815
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of MacKenzie Peltier's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of MacKenzie Peltier's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics MacKenzie Peltier is interested in exploring.
Sherry McKee, PhD
Terril Luce, PhD
Yasmin Zakiniaeiz, PhD
Catherine Burke, PsyD
Ralitza Gueorguieva, PhD
Robert Kohler
Former YSM
68Publications
1,470Citations
Alcohol Drinking
Substance-Related Disorders
Nicotiana
Affect
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Veterans
Publications
Featured Publications
The role of neurosteroids in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: A review of 10 years of clinical literature and treatment implications
Peltier M, Verplaetse T, Altemus M, Zakiniaeiz Y, Ralevski E, Mineur Y, Gueorguieva R, Picciotto M, Cosgrove K, Petrakis I, McKee S. The role of neurosteroids in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: A review of 10 years of clinical literature and treatment implications. Frontiers In Neuroendocrinology 2024, 73: 101119. PMID: 38184208, PMCID: PMC11185997, DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101119.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricThe role of sex hormones in targeting stress-induced tobacco craving, stress-reactivity, and smoking with guanfacine among women who smoke
Peltier M, McKee S. The role of sex hormones in targeting stress-induced tobacco craving, stress-reactivity, and smoking with guanfacine among women who smoke. Addiction Neuroscience 2023, 7: 100084. PMID: 37396408, PMCID: PMC10311966, DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100084.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricSex Differences across Retrospective Transitions in Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders
Peltier MR, Roberts W, Verplaetse TL, Zakiniaeiz Y, Burke C, Moore KE, McKee SA. Sex Differences across Retrospective Transitions in Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders. Journal Of Dual Diagnosis 2021, 18: 11-20. PMID: 34965199, PMCID: PMC9086923, DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2021.2016027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricChanges in excessive alcohol use among older women across the menopausal transition: a longitudinal analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
Peltier MR, Verplaetse TL, Roberts W, Moore K, Burke C, Marotta PL, Phillips S, Smith PH, McKee SA. Changes in excessive alcohol use among older women across the menopausal transition: a longitudinal analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Biology Of Sex Differences 2020, 11: 37. PMID: 32665024, PMCID: PMC7362573, DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00314-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricSex differences in stress-related alcohol use
Peltier MR, Verplaetse TL, Mineur YS, Petrakis IL, Cosgrove KP, Picciotto MR, McKee SA. Sex differences in stress-related alcohol use. Neurobiology Of Stress 2019, 10: 100149. PMID: 30949562, PMCID: PMC6430711, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100149.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricRole of Exogenous Progesterone in the Treatment of Men and Women with Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review
Peltier MR, Sofuoglu M. Role of Exogenous Progesterone in the Treatment of Men and Women with Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review. CNS Drugs 2018, 32: 421-435. PMID: 29761343, PMCID: PMC6235727, DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0525-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetric
2026
Less than what? Response to alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025–2030 dietary guidelines for Americans
Peltier M, Chander G, Jones H, Chang G, McKee S. Less than what? Response to alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025–2030 dietary guidelines for Americans. The Lancet Regional Health - Americas 2026, 101510. DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2026.101510.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsAltmetricLegal blood alcohol concentration limits and alcohol-attributable traffic mortality rates: an analysis across 165 countries
Jimenez Chavez C, Peltier M, Mokwuah A, Bin-Mahfouz A, Verplaetse T, Zakiniaeiz Y, Kohler R, Garcia-Rivas V, Banini B, Raval N, Pittman B, McKee S. Legal blood alcohol concentration limits and alcohol-attributable traffic mortality rates: an analysis across 165 countries. EClinicalMedicine 2026, 93: 103794. PMID: 41768275, PMCID: PMC12945517, DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricIdentifying clinical correlates of drinking clusters during treatment for alcohol use disorder
Kohler R, Zhou H, Zakiniaeiz Y, Verplaetse T, Garcia‐Rivas V, Peltier M, Banini B, McKee S, Roberts W. Identifying clinical correlates of drinking clusters during treatment for alcohol use disorder. American Journal On Addictions 2026, 35: 471-479. PMID: 41601244, DOI: 10.1111/ajad.70132.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetric
2025
Clinical and preclinical evidence of sex differences in nicotine-induced enhancement of alcohol self-administration
Garcia-Rivas V, Zakiniaeiz Y, Jimenez Chavez C, Kohler R, Peltier M, Raval N, Verplaetse T, Zhou H, McKee S. Clinical and preclinical evidence of sex differences in nicotine-induced enhancement of alcohol self-administration. Psychopharmacology 2025, 1-14. PMID: 41240074, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-025-06965-x.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsAltmetric
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
The Effect of Acute Stress and Inflammation on Drinking
IRB ID2000028772RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 65 yearsCombining Varenicline and Guanfacine for Smoking Cessation
IRB ID2000026630RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/30/2020Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsMechanistic Evaluation of Guanfacine on Drinking Behavior
IRB ID2000023970RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/29/2026Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 70 yearsBehavioral and Neurochemical Mechanisms Underlying Stress-Precipitated Drinking
IRB ID2000021685RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/30/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 55 yearsDoes Propanolol, a Beta Blocker, Attenuate Stress-Induced Drinking?
IRB ID2000022090RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date02/28/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 65 years
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