Featured Publications
Dysregulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system following opioid exposure
Mohammad Aghaei A, Saali A, Canas M, Weleff J, D'Souza D, Angarita G, Bassir Nia A. Dysregulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system following opioid exposure. Psychiatry Research 2023, 330: 115586. PMID: 37931479, PMCID: PMC10842415, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115586.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndocannabinoid systemECS componentsBrain regionsNovel neurobiological targetsTreatment of OUDEndogenous opioid systemOpioid-related deathsEndogenous cannabinoid systemSpecific brain regionsECS dysregulationOpioid exposureOUD treatmentOpioid systemCannabinoid systemNeurobiological targetsNew medicationsPreclinical literatureCannabinoid receptorsEndogenous ligandTherapeutic potentialStudy typePresent potential targetsExposure protocolOpioidsPreclinical research
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 characteristics
2023
Developing 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