Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
Publications
2025
GWAS meta-meta-analysis and related analyses revealed a shared genetic background between ADHD and narcolepsy
Modestino E, Sharafshah A, Lewandrowski K, Carey E, Mohankumar K, Thanos P, Pinhasov A, Bowirrat A, Baron D, Gold M, Elman I, Gardner E, Fuehrlein B, Zeine F, Jafari N, Dennen C, Lewandrowski A, Badgaiyan R, Blum K. GWAS meta-meta-analysis and related analyses revealed a shared genetic background between ADHD and narcolepsy. Academia Molecular Biology And Genomics 2025, 2 DOI: 10.20935/acadmolbiogen7751.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProtein-protein interactionsGene listsAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorderReward Deficiency SyndromeGWAS meta-analysesGWAS Catalog databasePGx analysisPGx dataFamily genesSystems biologyGenetic basisGWASShared genesSusceptibility to narcolepsyGenesGenetic backgroundRBFOX1PGxMeta-meta-analysisComprehensive data miningDopaminergic reward systemTherapeutic targetFOXP2Potential endophenotypesAddictive behaviorsPre-addiction phenotype is associated with dopaminergic dysfunction: Evidence from 88.8 million genome-wide association study-based samples
Blum K, Sharafshah A, Lewandrowski K, Schmidt S, Alvim Fiorelli R, Pinhasov A, Bowirrat A, Gold M, Gardner E, Thanos P, Fuehrlein B, Baron D, Elman I, Dennen C, Jafari N, Zeine F, Lewandrowski A, Makale M, Modestino E, Sunder K, Murphy K, Fliegelman C, Mahajan S, Mahajan Y, Badgaiyan R. Pre-addiction phenotype is associated with dopaminergic dysfunction: Evidence from 88.8 million genome-wide association study-based samples. Gene & Protein In Disease 2025, 4: 8090. DOI: 10.36922/gpd.8090.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenetic Addiction Risk SeverityReward Deficiency SyndromeDopaminergic dysfunctionEarly genetic testingAssociated with dopaminergic dysfunctionStandardized treatment algorithmSubstance use disordersHypodopaminergic stateOpioid dependenceOpioid prescribingAddiction biologyTreatment algorithmDeficiency syndromeDopaminergic pathwaysGenetic testingNeurobiological vulnerabilityRelapse preventionAddiction medicineAddictive behaviorsComorbid behaviorsFunctional neuroimagingUse disorderDepressive symptomsPainBehavioral expressionA Review of the Evidence Surrounding Popular Cognitive Enhancers
Draghmeh K, Elmarasi M, Fuehrlein B. A Review of the Evidence Surrounding Popular Cognitive Enhancers. Current Psychopharmacologye 2025, 13 DOI: 10.2174/0122115560363501250609121229.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA Review of Relapse in Opioid Use Disorder
Draghmeh K, Gold M, Fuehrlein B. A Review of Relapse in Opioid Use Disorder. Current Addiction Reports 2025, 12: 58. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-025-00672-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUse disorderEnhance treatment retentionMindfulness-based therapyStress system dysregulationRelapse vulnerabilityOpioid use disorderNeurobiological mechanismsDopamine deficitMedication-Assisted TreatmentContingency managementTreatment retentionPsychosocial interventionsMechanisms of relapseReduce relapseBehavioral componentsReviewOpioid use disorderSignificant public health challengeSystem dysregulationPublic health challengeRelapse rateAt-risk populationsSocietal burdenEmergency therapyAt-riskRelapseExploring dopamine as the master regulator of brain circuitry and mental health genome
Blum K, Braverman E, Sharafshah A, Elman I, Lewandrowski K, Bowirrat A, Pinhasov A, Thanos P, Gold M, Dennen C, Modestino E, Badgaiyan R, Baron D, Fuehrlein B, Sipple D, Ashford J, Sunder K, Makale M, Murphy K, Jafari N, Zeine F, Pollack A, Lewandrowski A, Khalsa J. Exploring dopamine as the master regulator of brain circuitry and mental health genome. Gene & Protein In Disease 2025, 5: 10.36922/gpd.6557. PMID: 40746483, PMCID: PMC12311831, DOI: 10.36922/gpd.6557.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBrain circuitryDopamine transmissionDopaminergic activityPsychiatric disordersDopamineBrain functionCircuitryLong-term influenceNeurobiologyAddictionImmediate effectsIntracellular signaling pathwaysPotential therapeutic targetDisordersNeurotransmitterBrainClinical relevanceTherapeutic targetSignaling pathwaySubstancesHypothesizing glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), agonists promote hypodopaminergia, resulting in heightened addictive reward-seeking and altered mood: Breaking the bubble and adding salt to a wound
Blum K, Dennen C, Lewandrowski K, Sharafshah A, Pinhasov A, Bowirrat A, Elman I, Cadet J, Braverman E, Thanos P, Makale M, Baron D, Ashford J, Fuehrlein B, Avena N, Gardner E, Badgaiyan R, Gondré—Lewis M, Modestino E, Khalsa J, Murphy K, Sunder K, Foojan Z, Jafari N, Carney P, Cortes R, Edwards D, Roy A, Smith D, Gold M. Hypothesizing glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), agonists promote hypodopaminergia, resulting in heightened addictive reward-seeking and altered mood: Breaking the bubble and adding salt to a wound. Medical Hypotheses 2025, 198: 111612. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111612.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchReceptor agonistsGLP-1 receptor agonistsUse disorderGABA neuronsActivation of VTA GABA neuronsActivity of VTA dopamine neuronsIn vivo fiber photometryAttenuated cocaine seekingVTA dopamine neuronsVTA GABA neuronsReward-seeking behaviorAssociated with increased activityDopaminergic reward pathwayAlcohol use disorderSubstance use disordersGLP-1Cocaine seekingFluorescence in situ hybridizationReward-seekingReward pathwayAntiaddictive propertiesDopamine signalingDopaminergic pathwaysDopamine neuronsFiber photometryDopaminergic Homeostatic Therapy (DHT™) as a Putative Anti-Addiction Seeking Intervention and Early Identification of Genetic Preaddiction with Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS®) Screening.
Lewandrowski K, Bowirrat A, Pinhasov A, Sharafshah A, Gold M, Fuehrlein B, Elman I, Dennen C, Thanos P, Hanna C, Sipple D, Baron D, Martire G, Modestino E, Jafari N, Zeine F, Sunder K, Lewandrowski A, Badgaiyan R, Khalsa J, Pollack A, Fiorelli R, Schmidt S, Fliegelman C, Lorio M, Makale M, Blum K. Dopaminergic Homeostatic Therapy (DHT™) as a Putative Anti-Addiction Seeking Intervention and Early Identification of Genetic Preaddiction with Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS®) Screening. Acta Scientific Neurology 2025, 8: 70-88. PMID: 40896766, PMCID: PMC12396177.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenetic Addiction Risk SeverityReward Deficiency SyndromeBrain Reward CascadeNational Institute on Drug AbuseOpioid replacement therapyMedication assisted therapyPro-dopamine regulationCognitive behavioral therapyAlcohol Abuse and AlcoholismRisk severityBehavioral addictionsReward genesBehavioral therapyTrauma therapyBrain spotsTreatment programsDrug abuseEarly identificationTreatment phasePreaddictionReplacement therapyCheek cell samplesDeficiency syndromeGenetic screeningTherapyEmerging Therapeutics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Focus on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, D3R Antagonists, and CRF Antagonists
Draghmeh K, Fuehrlein B. Emerging Therapeutics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Focus on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, D3R Antagonists, and CRF Antagonists. Journal Of Integrative Neuroscience 2025, 24: 26361. PMID: 40302255, DOI: 10.31083/jin26361.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersCorticotropin-releasing factorTreatment of substance use disordersCorticotropin-releasing factor antagonistTreating substance use disordersDrug-seeking behaviorDopamine D3 receptorGlucagon-like peptide-1Reduce substance useUse of alcoholAddiction processD3R antagonistsReward modulationRelapse preventionD3 receptorsUse disorderStimulant useSubstance useGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonistsPrevent relapseReceptor agonistsTarget different aspectsSignificant public health challengeAntagonistDisordersEpidemiology of Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdoses
Draghmeh K, Gold M, Fuehrlein B. Epidemiology of Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdoses. Current Addiction Reports 2025, 12: 36. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-025-00649-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderEpidemiology of opioid useComplex public health challengesMental health disordersRisk factorsPublic health challengeOpioid useHarm reduction programsSocioeconomic disadvantagePsychosocial interventionsAccess barriersHealth disordersHealth challengesReduction programsOverdose deathsImprove outcomesGenetic predispositionCollaborative effortsPolysubstance useTreatment retentionEpidemiologyInnovative therapiesIncreasing overdose deathsReviewThis reviewLimited accessibilityStudy protocol of a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation multisite trial: Dialectical behavior therapy skills group for Veterans at high-risk for suicide attempt
Decker S, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Mattocks K, Aunon F, Galliford E, DeRycke E, Doran N, Baird S, Rielage J, Ridley J, Bannister J, Giovannelli T, Fuehrlein B, Shriver C, Spana E, Honsberger M, Demirelli S, Shest E, Landes S, Goodman M, Martino S. Study protocol of a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation multisite trial: Dialectical behavior therapy skills group for Veterans at high-risk for suicide attempt. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2025, 151: 107828. PMID: 39923893, PMCID: PMC12344970, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.107828.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDialectical behavior therapyTreatment-as-usualDialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills GroupSuicide attemptsEmotion dysregulationComponents of dialectical behavior therapyComprehensive DBTVeterans Health AdministrationTherapist consultation teamSkill groupsNon-veteran samplesReduce suicide attemptsAdjunctive treatmentSelf-directed violenceBehavioral therapySuicidal behaviorSuicideMultisite trialEffectiveness trialHigh-risk veteransVeteransPost-randomizationSuicide deathsEmotionsRandomized Controlled Trials
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
News
- November 24, 2025
Fuehrlein to Receive 2025 Pillar of Excellence Award
- December 12, 2024
Fuehrlein, Pérez Palmer, Wilkins Promoted at VA
- August 27, 2024Source: Psychology Today
Smoking Hard Drugs Is Now Killing Many Users
- April 02, 2024
Fuehrlein Appointed Chief Mental Health Consultant at VA Central Office
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Contacts
Mailing Address
Psychiatry
VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave
West Haven, CT 06516
United States