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 personsHighs and lows of cannabinoid-dopamine interactions: effects of genetic variability and pharmacological modulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase on the acute response to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans
Ranganathan M, De Aquino JP, Cortes-Briones JA, Radhakrishnan R, Pittman B, Bhakta S, D’Souza D. Highs and lows of cannabinoid-dopamine interactions: effects of genetic variability and pharmacological modulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase on the acute response to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans. Psychopharmacology 2019, 236: 3209-3219. PMID: 31187152, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05273-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOMT rs4680 polymorphismMemory deficitsCOMT genotypeVal/Val individualsRs4680 polymorphismSubjective effectsTest dayCatechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) enzymePsychotomimetic effectsCognitive effectsCognitive dataCannabinoid-dopamine interactionsAcute responseHuman brainIntravenous THCPlacebo-controlled studyRole of dopaminergicCatechol-O-methyl transferaseDopaminergic signalingAcute pharmacological inhibitionDeficitsCannabinoid effectsDopaminergic toneHealthy subjectsDrug development effortsPharmacological 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 overlapFeasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder
Sugarman DE, De Aquino JP, Poling J, Sofuoglu M. Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder. Pharmacology Biochemistry And Behavior 2019, 181: 86-92. PMID: 31082417, PMCID: PMC6545124, DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCannabis use disorderEffects of galantamineMeasures of attentionSelf-report measuresAdministration of galantamineOutpatient treatment periodPlacebo-controlled trialParallel-group trialTime pointsAcute cannabis intoxicationSignificant adverse effectsLong-term useSignificant main effectResponse inhibitionCognitive effectsCognitive performanceCognitive outcomesBaseline variablesCognitive AssessmentCognitive deficitsCannabis withdrawalTreatment periodProcognitive effectsGalantamine administrationBaseline sessionsAlcohol Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: An Overlooked Epidemic
De Aquino J, Sloan M, Nunes J, Costa G, Katz J, de Oliveira D, Ra J, Tang V, Petrakis I. Alcohol Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: An Overlooked Epidemic. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2024, 181: 391-402. PMID: 38706339, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230886.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderChronic painAUD studiesChronic pain disordersChronic pain outcomesRisk of relapseAlcohol withdrawal syndromeAssessment of painHigher levels of alcohol consumptionLevels of alcohol consumptionWithdrawal syndromePain disordersPain outcomesAcute toleranceNeurobiological changesClinical significanceUse disorderPainClinical relevanceSelf-reportAlcohol intoxicationAlcohol consumptionGeneral populationMedical conditionsNarrative reviewFrom 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, 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 biasFatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, Neurodevelopment, and Alcohol: Illuminating the Intricacies of the Endocannabinoid System in Addiction Susceptibility
De Aquino J. Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, Neurodevelopment, and Alcohol: Illuminating the Intricacies of the Endocannabinoid System in Addiction Susceptibility. Biological Psychiatry 2023, 94: e19-e21. PMID: 37558315, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.06.027.Peer-Reviewed Original 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 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 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 effectsSex differences in the acute effects of oral THC: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover human laboratory study
Mohammad Aghaei A, Urban Spillane L, Pittman B, Flynn L, De Aquino J, Bassir Nia A, Ranganathan M. Sex differences in the acute effects of oral THC: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover human laboratory study. Psychopharmacology 2024, 241: 1-11. PMID: 38832949, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06625-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRey Auditory Verbal Learning TestCannabis use disorderHuman laboratory studiesOral tetrahydrocannabinolPsychoactive effectsSex differencesAuditory Verbal Learning TestDissociative Symptoms ScalePsychotomimetic States InventoryExposure to cannabisVerbal Learning TestPlacebo-controlledIncreased cannabis useInvestigate sex differencesClinician-AdministeredVerbal learningPsychotomimetic effectsCannabinoid effectsLearning TestCannabis useTetrahydrocannabinol dosesEffects of sexUse disorderDose-related effectsIndividual vulnerability
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