Joao P. De Aquino, MD
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Additional Titles
Assistant Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Psychiatry
Assistant Director for Research Affairs, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Psychiatry
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Titles
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Assistant Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Psychiatry; Assistant Director for Research Affairs, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. De Aquino is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and Assistant Director for Research Affairs at the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit. In addition to treating persons with substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders, he combines behavioral pharmacology, computerized psychophysical techniques, and clinical trial methods to develop novel therapeutics for pain and addiction.
Last Updated on January 12, 2025.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit
- Division of Addictions
- Janeway Society
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab
- Psychiatry
- Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Education & Training
- Advanced Research Fellowship
- Yale University & VA VISN-1 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) (2021)
- Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship
- Yale University (2019)
- Psychiatry Residency
- Yale University (2018)
- MD
- Federal University of Ceara, School of Medicine (2012)
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Addiction Medicine; Analgesia; Analgesics, Opioid; Buprenorphine; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Chronic Pain; Clinical Trial, Phase II; Craving; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Interactions; Methadone; Pain; Pain Measurement; Pharmacokinetics; Psychopharmacology; Psychophysics; Reward; Sensory Thresholds; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
Public Health Interests
Pharmacoepidemiology; Clinical Guidelines
ORCID
0000-0001-7357-8215- View Lab Website
Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Joao P. De Aquino's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Joao P. De Aquino's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Joao P. De Aquino is interested in exploring.
Mehmet Sofuoglu, MD, PhD
Gabriel P. A. Costa, MD
Julio Nunes, MD
R. Ross MacLean, PhD
Brian Pittman
Victor J. Avila-Quintero, MD
62Publications
525Citations
Analgesics, Opioid
Buprenorphine
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
Cannabis
Methadone
Cannabinoids
Publications
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 ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOpioid 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 ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCOMT 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 ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOpioid 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 ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCannabis 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, PMCID: PMC11521207, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230886.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAlcohol 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, 90: 3036-3053. PMID: 38627909, PMCID: PMC11480258, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid 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, 90: 2985-3002. PMID: 38556851, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid 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, 90: 3054-3066. PMID: 38752593, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid 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 ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNon-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
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Brain Emotion Circuitry-Targeted Self-Monitoring and Regulation Therapy (BE-SMART)
HIC ID0407026910RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge16 years - 24 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD)
05/06/2022 - PresentCommitteesCommittee MemberDetailsHuman Research Committeeactivity Janeway Society
06/01/2022 - PresentCommitteesMemberDetailsCouncil Memberactivity Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
12/01/2022 - PresentJournal ServiceEditorial Board Memberactivity Frontiers Psychiatry Addictive Disorders
04/01/2021 - PresentJournal ServiceEditorial Board Memberactivity British Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
2023 - PresentJournal ServiceGuest Editor
Honors
honor Associate Member
12/11/2024National AwardAmerican College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)DetailsUnited Stateshonor Leadership Academy
12/08/2024National AwardUnited States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP)DetailsUnited Stateshonor MIT/NIDA Substance Use Disorder Ventures Program
08/12/2024National AwardMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)DetailsUnited Stateshonor NIH R01 Research Project Grant Program
05/01/2024National AwardNational Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)DetailsUnited Stateshonor NIH Early Career Reviewer
12/01/2023National AwardNational Institute of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific ReviewDetailsUnited States
News & Links
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News
- December 04, 2025
Nunes Awarded 2026 Ruth Fox Scholarship by American Society of Addiction Medicine
- December 02, 2025
Expanding Access to Buprenorphine and Methadone: Global Perspectives and Policy Recommendations
- October 15, 2025Source: Current Addiction Reports
Tobacco Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review of Integrated Treatment Approaches, Underlying Mechanisms, and Future Research Directions
- September 25, 2025Source: Pain Medicine
Quantitative Sensory Testing of Pain in Persons with Opioid Use Disorder on Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review
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West Haven, CT 06516