Featured Publications
Opioid-induced analgesia among persons with opioid use disorder receiving methadone or buprenorphine: A systematic review of experimental pain studies
De Aquino JP, Parida S, Avila-Quintero VJ, Flores J, Compton P, Hickey T, Gómez O, Sofuoglu M. Opioid-induced analgesia among persons with opioid use disorder receiving methadone or buprenorphine: A systematic review of experimental pain studies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 228: 109097. PMID: 34601272, PMCID: PMC8595687, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderExperimental pain studiesAbuse potentialRespiratory depressionAcute painPain studiesUse disordersSystematic reviewGreater abuse potentialHigh-potency opioidsMethadone-maintained personsSignificant pain reliefRespiratory depressant effectsHigh-potency compoundsOpioid naïveAgonist therapyOpioid dosesPain reliefAnalgesic effectSevere painDepressant effectAdditional dosesStudy qualityHealthy personsPharmacological treatment of pain among persons with opioid addiction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis with implications for drug development
De Aquino JP, Flores JM, Avila‐Quintero V, Compton P, Sofuoglu M. Pharmacological treatment of pain among persons with opioid addiction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis with implications for drug development. Addiction Biology 2020, 26: e12964. PMID: 32974993, DOI: 10.1111/adb.12964.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderClinical trialsPresence of OUDSystematic reviewTreatment of OUDActive treatment groupNeurobiology of painDrug developmentSpontaneous painAntihyperalgesic effectOngoing painPharmacological managementAnalgesic effectClinical featuresCochrane DatabasePharmacological treatmentEligible studiesOpioid addictionPainTreatment groupsUse disordersAbuse liabilityNovel therapeuticsNonsignificant heterogeneityNeurobiological overlapFrom taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder
Weleff J, Nunes J, Costa G, Sofuoglu M, MacLean R, De Aquino J. From taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 38627909, PMCID: PMC11480258, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderChronic painLong-term opioid therapyManagement of chronic painPain management alternativeOpioid-induced analgesiaInnovative treatment optionsManagement of painReverse painCentral sensitizationOpioid therapyPain controlTreatment optionsClinical challengeClinical trialsPainPotential therapeutic applicationsPain experiencePotential of psychedelicsNovel therapeuticsHuman evidenceOpioid crisisNeurobiological substratesOpioidExploration of novel therapeuticsAssessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations
Nunes J, Costa G, Weleff J, Rogan M, Compton P, De Aquino J. Assessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 38556851, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAssess painPain assessmentPain experienceConcomitant chronic painChronic opioid therapyQuantitative sensory testingVisual analogue scalePain assessment methodsPain assessment toolsComplex psychosocial backgroundImprove pain assessmentOpioid therapyOpioid usePain responseChronic painAnalogue scaleTraditional self-report methodsPainRisk factorsUse disorderOpioidNarrative reviewSelf-report methodsMultidisciplinary teamGlial modulators as novel therapeutics for comorbid pain and opioid use disorder
Schwartz E, De Aquino J, Sofuoglu M. Glial modulators as novel therapeutics for comorbid pain and opioid use disorder. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 38752593, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderChronic painGlial modulationNovel treatment approachesComorbid painPublic health problemTreatment approachesImproved pain measuresLiterature search of PubMedIncreased opioid prescriptionsSearch of PubMedAddiction-related outcomesSignificant public health problemComorbid disordersOpioid prescriptionsGoogle Scholar databasesPain measuresHealth problemsPain managementClinical studiesTreatment challengesClinical trialsPatient populationPainGlial activationThe impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Costa G, Nunes J, Heringer D, Anand A, De Aquino J. The impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 12-26. PMID: 38225727, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useOpioid use disorderOpioid useCannabis useOpioid use disorder pharmacotherapyUse disorderImpact of cannabis useAverage follow-up timeFollow-up timeMeta-analysisEvidence of moderate heterogeneityImpact of cannabisPooled odds ratioOpioids non-medicallyRandom-effects modelMeta-analysis of longitudinal studiesCannabis abstinenceTreatment modalitiesOdds ratioModerate heterogeneityPharmacotherapyCannabisOpioidComprehensive searchPublication bias
2024
Navigating new norms: Addiction specialists' perspectives on opioid use disorder treatments and policy challenges in the fentanyl era
Weleff J, Christian N, Wang J, Singh M, De Aquino J, Saxon A, Vassallo G. Navigating new norms: Addiction specialists' perspectives on opioid use disorder treatments and policy challenges in the fentanyl era. American Journal On Addictions 2024 PMID: 39364597, DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13653.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSlow-release oral morphineOpioid use disorderBarriers to OUD treatmentAddiction specialistsOpioid use disorder managementUse disorderOUD treatmentThird-line monotherapyFisher's exact testOpioid use disorder treatmentOff-label prescribingOral morphineAgonist opioidsOpioid agonistsOpioid-related overdoseTherapeutic optionsWithdrawal symptomsNovel therapiesExact testOpioidMOUD prescribingSynthetic opioidsClinical practiceClinical approachCompare respondent characteristicsEditorial for the themed issue: Addressing the dual challenges of opioid use disorder and chronic pain in the context of the opioid crisis
Sofuoglu M, MacLean R, De Aquino J. Editorial for the themed issue: Addressing the dual challenges of opioid use disorder and chronic pain in the context of the opioid crisis. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 39340184, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Impact of High-Potency Synthetic Opioids on Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review
Jegede O, De Aquino J, Hsaio C, Caldwell E, Funaro M, Petrakis I, Muvvala S. The Impact of High-Potency Synthetic Opioids on Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2024, 18: 499-510. PMID: 39356620, PMCID: PMC11449257, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001356.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNonmedical opioid useOpioid use disorderOpioid useWithdrawal symptomsTreatment outcomesSymptoms prior to treatmentUse disorderRisk of precipitated withdrawalLow-dose buprenorphineSynthetic opioidsPotency synthetic opioidsConclusions Current evidencePrecipitated withdrawalRisk of overdoseDosing strategiesPharmacological interactionsClinical significanceDecreased riskWeb of ScienceOpioidInclusion criteriaCurrent evidenceClinical implicationsMOUDPainDisentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes
Nunes J, Jegede O, De Aquino J. Disentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 455-461. PMID: 39018662, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2024.2369866.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderUse disorderRacism-related stressChronic pain outcomesOpioid overdose mortality ratesOverdose mortality ratesHealthcare disparitiesBiopsychosocial burdenPain outcomesPrescribed opioidsUndertreated painChronic painPain managementOpioid mortalityPerpetuate stigmaTreat painPain experienceOpioidPainRisk factorsMinoritized populationsMinoritized peopleMortality rateDisparitiesAddiction treatmentW82 Variation in Psychosocial Symptom Change: A Preliminary Examination of Veterans in Early Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Wolkowicz N, Sofuoglu M, De Aquino J, MacLean R. W82 Variation in Psychosocial Symptom Change: A Preliminary Examination of Veterans in Early Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110700. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110700.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder
Wolkowicz N, Sofuoglu M, Pittman B, Meyerovich J, MacLean R, De Aquino J. A preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2024, 177: 90-95. PMID: 38991269, PMCID: PMC11371499, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.047.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAttentional biasOpioid use disorderDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolTHC administrationDose of methadoneOpioid cuesUse disorderEffects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolLower doses of methadoneVisual probe taskHigher doses of methadoneEffects of cannabinoidsFive-hour sessionTHC doseOral THCProbe taskPsychoactive constituentAddictive propertiesMethadone patientsMethadone doseWithin-subjectTHCPreliminary evidenceMethadoneAcute effects
2023
Brief report: The influence of childhood trauma on the effects of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in persons with opioid use disorder
Rogan M, Nunes J, Xie C, Sofuoglu M, Pittman B, De Aquino J. Brief report: The influence of childhood trauma on the effects of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in persons with opioid use disorder. American Journal On Addictions 2023, 33: 343-346. PMID: 38059660, PMCID: PMC11032222, DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13504.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDelta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol modulates pain sensitivity among persons receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder: A within‐subject, randomized, placebo‐controlled laboratory study
De Aquino J, Meyerovich J, Xie C, Ranganathan M, Compton P, Pittman B, Rogan M, Sofuoglu M. Delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol modulates pain sensitivity among persons receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder: A within‐subject, randomized, placebo‐controlled laboratory study. Addiction Biology 2023, 28: e13317. PMID: 37644897, PMCID: PMC10468603, DOI: 10.1111/adb.13317.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid agonist therapyAgonist therapyMethadone dosesMethadone therapyPain sensitivityUse disordersPlacebo-controlled laboratory studySynergistic antinociceptive effectCognitive adverse effectsSingle oral dosesRisk-benefit profilePain sensitivity measuresCannabinoid receptor systemAntinociceptive effectTHC doseOral dosesOpioid agonistsAcute effectsCannabinoid agonistsPreclinical studiesAbuse potentialOpioid crisisTherapyReceptor systemDeveloping non-opioid therapeutics to alleviate pain among persons with opioid use disorder: a review of the human evidence
Oliveira D, Fontenele R, Weleff J, Sofuoglu M, De Aquino J. Developing non-opioid therapeutics to alleviate pain among persons with opioid use disorder: a review of the human evidence. International Review Of Psychiatry 2023, 35: 377-396. PMID: 38299655, PMCID: PMC10835074, DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2229430.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderNon-opioid analgesicsUse disordersNon-opioid analgesic therapyAlpha-2 adrenergic agonistsMajor public health concernGlial activation inhibitorNon-opioid therapeuticsNovel analgesic strategiesPotential of cannabinoidsPrior opioid exposureOpioid-dependent individualsOpioid-dependent populationsAbuse liability assessmentPublic health concernAnalgesic strategiesAgonist therapyAnalgesic therapyOpioid exposureOUD treatmentPharmacokinetic interactionsGABAergic drugsSignificant morbidityPain types
2022
Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies
De Aquino J, Bahji A, Gómez O, Sofuoglu M. Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2022, 241: 109702. PMID: 36434879, PMCID: PMC9772106, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid withdrawalObservational studySystematic reviewDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administrationPlacebo-controlled clinical trialCannabis useNon-opioid therapeuticsPotential of cannabinoidsDose of opioidsOpioid withdrawal symptomsOpioid use disorderNarrow therapeutic windowExperimental human studiesDose-dependent increaseMain psychoactive constituentPatient characteristicsWithdrawal symptomsClinical trialsPharmacological factorsStudy qualityTherapeutic windowTherapeutic benefitUse disordersHuman studiesAbuse liabilityHelpful or Harmful? The Therapeutic Potential of Medications with Varying Degrees of Abuse Liability in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Martins B, Rutland W, De Aquino JP, Kazer BL, Funaro M, Potenza MN, Angarita GA. Helpful or Harmful? The Therapeutic Potential of Medications with Varying Degrees of Abuse Liability in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. Current Addiction Reports 2022, 9: 647-659. PMID: 35990796, PMCID: PMC9376579, DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00432-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSubstance use disordersUse disordersCocaine use disorderWithdrawal symptomsAbuse liabilityMultiple substance use disordersOpioid use disorderRegulatory approval statusFurther clinical researchPotential abuse liabilityNegative subjective effectsClinical trial researchPharmacological treatmentStimulant medicationPossible treatmentReviewThis reviewTherapeutic potentialTrial researchClinical researchSubjective effectsKetamineDecrease useDisordersGabapentinoidsApproval status
2021
Case Report: Increasing the Frequency of Intramuscular Naltrexone Administration in a High Risk Patient with Opioid use Disorder
Wright M, De Aquino J, Bystrak T. Case Report: Increasing the Frequency of Intramuscular Naltrexone Administration in a High Risk Patient with Opioid use Disorder. Substance Abuse 2021, 42: 493-496. PMID: 33689592, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1876811.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-risk patientsOpioid use disorderUse disorderReducing opioid cravingDosing strategiesFrequent dosingTreatment of opioid use disorderOpioid overdoseNovel dosing strategiesAlternative dosing strategiesCraving suppressionIncreased cravingEvidence of side effectsOpioid cravingShort-term safetyNaltrexone administrationIncreased dosing frequencyOpioid abstinenceNational opioid crisisRisk of opioid overdoseNaltrexoneExtended-releaseRisk patientsHigh-potencyPatient doseThe Pharmacology of Buprenorphine Microinduction for Opioid Use Disorder
De Aquino JP, Parida S, Sofuoglu M. The Pharmacology of Buprenorphine Microinduction for Opioid Use Disorder. Clinical Drug Investigation 2021, 41: 425-436. PMID: 33818748, PMCID: PMC8020374, DOI: 10.1007/s40261-021-01032-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnique pharmacological profileOpioid use disorderOpioid withdrawalPotential dose-dependent effectsPlacebo-controlled clinical trialLong-term treatment outcomesFull opioid agonistsStandard induction regimensOpen-label studyFirst-line pharmacotherapySchedule of administrationMu-opioid receptorsAvailability of buprenorphineDose-dependent effectFuture translational researchInduction regimensOpioid taperOpioid toneFirst doseClinical outcomesClinical evidenceOpioid agonistsBuprenorphine formulationsDaily dosesClinical trials
2020
Rapid Transition From Methadone to Buprenorphine Utilizing a Micro-dosing Protocol in the Outpatient Veteran Affairs Setting.
De Aquino J, Fairgrieve C, Klaire S, Garcia-Vassallo G. Rapid Transition From Methadone to Buprenorphine Utilizing a Micro-dosing Protocol in the Outpatient Veteran Affairs Setting. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2020, 14: e271-e273. PMID: 32011408, PMCID: PMC7392785, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000618.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderPrecipitated withdrawalTreatment of opioid use disorderCessation of methadoneMicro-dose protocolRisk of precipitated withdrawalMethadone to buprenorphineOpioid agonist therapyTransition to buprenorphineAgonist therapyOpioid useOutpatient protocolUse disorderOutpatient settingVeterans Affairs settingsBuprenorphineMethadonePsychiatry settingWithdrawalTransition protocolDemonstrating feasibilityInductionOpioidTherapyPatients