Sherry McKee, PhD
Professor of PsychiatryCards
Additional Titles
Director, Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
Clinical Director, Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic
Director, Yale Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, Psychiatry
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
Clinical Director, Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic
Director, Yale Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, Psychiatry
Contact Info
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
Clinical Director, Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic
Director, Yale Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, Psychiatry
Contact Info
About
Titles
Professor of Psychiatry
Director, Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory; Clinical Director, Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic; Director, Yale Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. Sherry McKee is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale Medical School, Director of the Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, and Clinical Director of the Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic. Dr. McKee directs a translational program of research focused on treatment development for addictive disorders, with an emphasis on women and more recently criminal justice populations. Her work spans clinical trials, behavioral pharmacology, survey research, and epidemiological research to uncover mechanisms underlying poor outcomes and to translate these finding into improved interventions. Dr. McKee has directed large NIH-funded efforts (P50-ORWH/NIDA; P01-ORWH/NIAAA) focused on developing effective medications for addictive behaviors which are responsive to sex differences. Dr. McKee currently leads the Yale-SCORE on Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder (U54AA027989, ORWH/NIAAA). For this effort, she directs an interdisciplinary team conducting translational cross-species research focused on expediting the development of therapeutics for alcohol use disorder, mentoring junior faculty, and providing a national resource on women and alcohol. Dr. McKee, with in partnership with the of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Service and the Connecticut Department of Correction has developed an integrated system of addiction care for adults returning to their communities following incarceration.
Appointments
Psychiatry
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Use Research at Yale (CENTURY)
- Connecticut Mental Health Center
- Division of Addictions
- Division of Law and Psychiatry
- Division of Substance Abuse
- Division of Women's Behavioral Health Research
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Psychiatry
- Psychology Section
- Psychotherapy Development Center
- Stress & Addiction Clinical Research Program
- Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Translational Center to Develop Gender-Sensitive Treatment for Tobacco Dependence
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of Western Ontario, Clinical Psychology (1999)
- Fellow
- Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CT. (1999)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-8185-9201
Publications
2025
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder
Hendershot C, Bremmer M, Paladino M, Kostantinis G, Gilmore T, Sullivan N, Tow A, Dermody S, Prince M, Jordan R, McKee S, Fletcher P, Claus E, Klein K. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry 2025, 82 PMID: 39937469, PMCID: PMC11822619, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderUse disorderPeak breath alcohol concentrationMedium to large effect sizesNon-treatment-seeking participantsWeeks of outpatient treatmentAlcohol self-administrationSelf-administration taskReduce alcohol intakeOnce-weekly subcutaneous semaglutideLarge effect sizesAlcohol consumptionSubsample of individualsBreath alcohol concentrationEffects of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutideTreatment-by-time interactionOnce-weekly semaglutideAlcohol cravingReduce cravingSelf-administrationDrinking outcomesSemaglutide treatmentDrinking daysReduce drinkingAmount of alcoholState Policy Variation in Implementation of Federal Drug and Child Abuse Laws and Stigmatization of Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
Peltier M, Pegram D, Chander G, Weisner C, McKee S, Jones H, Chang G. State Policy Variation in Implementation of Federal Drug and Child Abuse Laws and Stigmatization of Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder. Journal Of Women's Health 2025 PMID: 39932704, DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2024.0638.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderChild abuse lawsChild abuse preventionRemoval of childrenAbuse lawsLegal actionCurrent legislationSubstance-exposed infantsComprehensive AddictionPunitive actionsIndividual statesRisk of overdoseAbuse preventionLegislationLife-saving medicationsLawState policyChild welfare workersSubstance useMandated trainingUse disorderMOUDIndividuals of colorPolicy variationReporting System
2024
US mortality trends from alcohol‐associated hepatitis by sex, age, race, and ethnicity, 1999–2020
Banini B, Chauhan S, Amatya A, Dashti F, Zahrawi K, Zahrawi F, Mehal W, McKee S. US mortality trends from alcohol‐associated hepatitis by sex, age, race, and ethnicity, 1999–2020. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2024, 49: 358-367. PMID: 39739407, DOI: 10.1111/acer.15515.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAmerican Indians/Alaska NativesMortality rate ratiosIndians/Alaska NativesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online DataUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline DataWide-ranging Online DataMortality rateUS mortality trendsAlcohol-associated hepatitisJoinpoint regression analysisYoung adultsCross-sectional studyAlcohol-associated liver diseaseYoung adult femalesHigh-risk populationOnline DataMortality trendsSteepest increaseUnited StatesYear compared to baselineCalendar trendsSociodemographic factorsRacial/ethnic groupsEpidemiological researchRate ratiosAlcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults
Davis C, Ramer N, Squeglia L, Gex K, McRae‐Clark A, McKee S, Roberts W, Gray K, Baker N, Tomko R. Alcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2024, 48: 2331-2340. PMID: 39579151, PMCID: PMC11629456, DOI: 10.1111/acer.15461.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCannabis cravingAlcohol useMomentary levelWeeks of ecological momentary assessmentYoung adultsEcological momentary assessmentCo-used substancesFemale participantsPatterns of substance useMale participantsLevels of alcohol consumptionConditioned cuesMomentary assessmentAlcohol quantityCravingNaturalistic conditionsCannabisSubstance useSex differencesCo-useAlcohol consumptionNegative associationAlcoholParticipantsFrequent pairsGender differences in alcohol use disorder trends from 2009–2019: An intersectional analysis
Verplaetse T, Carretta R, Struble C, Pittman B, Roberts W, Zakiniaeiz Y, Peltier M, McKee S. Gender differences in alcohol use disorder trends from 2009–2019: An intersectional analysis. Alcohol 2024, 123: 101-107. PMID: 39579801, PMCID: PMC11871986, DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.11.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRates of alcohol use disordersAlcohol use disorderMarital statusRates of alcohol useDrug Use and Health (NSDUHNational Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHGender differencesIntersectional lensIntersectional analysisEffects of sociodemographic variablesDisorder trendsHousehold incomeNational surveyEmployment statusSociodemographic variablesAlcohol useEducation levelHeightened riskGenderLogistic regressionDemographic characteristicsEmploymentIncomeUrbanizationAdult menM81 Examining the Relationship of Concurrent Obesity and Tobacco Use Disorder on the Development of Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Conditions: Findings From the NESARC-III
Fields L, Roberts W, Schwing I, McCoy M, McKee S. M81 Examining the Relationship of Concurrent Obesity and Tobacco Use Disorder on the Development of Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Conditions: Findings From the NESARC-III. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110361. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110361.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Causes and Consequences of Stigma Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System: A Systematic Review
Moore K, Phillips S, Kromash R, Siebert S, Roberts W, Peltier M, Smith M, Verplaetse T, Marotta P, Burke C, Allison G, McKee S. The Causes and Consequences of Stigma Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System: A Systematic Review. Stigma And Health 2024, 9: 224-235. PMID: 39381322, PMCID: PMC11456775, DOI: 10.1037/sah0000483.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder
Verplaetse T, Hillmer A, Bhatt S, Rusowicz A, Li S, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Huang Y, McKee S, Cosgrove K. Imaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder. Neurobiology Of Stress 2024, 29: 100609. PMID: 38304303, PMCID: PMC10832501, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100609.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderAnterior cingulate cortexDrinking days/weekModerate to severe alcohol use disorderHealthy controlsHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axisSevere alcohol use disorderPositron emission tomographyHPA axis dysfunctionHPA axis functionRelease of glucocorticoid hormonesAlcohol consumptionAssociated with drinkingVentromedial PFCCingulate cortexHigh-resolution research tomographHPA activityUse disorderDrinking episodesCortisol regulationAxis functionVmPFCPeripheral cortisolBrain availabilityDisordered backgroundThe criminal justice system in alcohol use treatment: a nationwide analysis of racial disparities in treatment referral and completion
Stenersen M, Peltier M, McKee S. The criminal justice system in alcohol use treatment: a nationwide analysis of racial disparities in treatment referral and completion. Alcohol And Alcoholism 2024, 59: agad092. PMID: 38266072, PMCID: PMC10807701, DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCJ systemCriminal justiceCriminal justice systemReferral to alcohol treatmentAnalysis of racial disparitiesInfluence of raceJustice systemTreatment completionNative peopleTreatment Episode Dataset-DischargeImpact of raceCommunities of colorTreatment referralAlcohol treatmentAlcohol use treatmentSubstance useRacial inequalityRacial disparitiesScholarly literatureUse treatmentAmerican Indian/Alaska Native peopleUnited StatesSeries of ANOVAsAlcohol useRaceThe role of neurosteroids in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: A review of 10 years of clinical literature and treatment implications
Peltier M, Verplaetse T, Altemus M, Zakiniaeiz Y, Ralevski E, Mineur Y, Gueorguieva R, Picciotto M, Cosgrove K, Petrakis I, McKee S. The role of neurosteroids in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: A review of 10 years of clinical literature and treatment implications. Frontiers In Neuroendocrinology 2024, 73: 101119. PMID: 38184208, PMCID: PMC11185997, DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderAlcohol use disorderStress disorderContext of PTSDPTSD/AUDConcurrent posttraumatic stress disorderUnderlying neurobiological mechanismsUse disordersAlcohol-related variablesNeurobiological mechanismsPTSD diagnosisTreatment developmentTreatment implicationsBody of literatureNovel interventionsClinical literatureRole of neurosteroidsDisordersTreatment outcomesYears of researchAlcohol consumptionExogenous pregnenolonePharmacological treatmentBiological variablesAllopregnanolone
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
The Effect of Acute Stress and Inflammation on Drinking
HIC ID2000028772RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 65 yearsCombining Varenicline and Guanfacine for Smoking Cessation
HIC ID2000026630RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/30/2020Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsMechanistic Evaluation of Guanfacine on Drinking Behavior
HIC ID2000023970RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/29/2026Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 70 yearsDoes Propanolol, a Beta Blocker, Attenuate Stress-Induced Drinking?
HIC ID2000022090RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date02/28/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 65 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Div 50, American Psychological Association
Professional OrganizationsChairDetailsChair, Awards Committee09/01/2018 - Presentactivity Psychology of Addictive Behavior
Journal ServiceAssociate EditorDetailsAssociate Editor08/01/2014 - Presentactivity National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism
Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsReviewerDetailsReviewer, Loan Repayment Grants07/01/2014 - Presentactivity Drug and Alcohol Dependence - Reports
Journal ServiceAssociate EditorDetailsAssociate Editor10/01/2021 - Presentactivity New Haven Re-entry Center
Advisory BoardsMemberDetailsOffice of the Mayor, New HavenNew Haven Re-entry Center06/01/2021 - Present
News & Links
News
- October 11, 2024Source: The New York Times
What, Exactly, Is ‘Moderate Drinking’?
- September 23, 2024
Call for Abstracts: Yale Conference for Alcohol Research and Education 2024
- November 07, 2023
Alcohol Research Conference Fosters Collaboration Across Specialties
- September 01, 2023
McKee Serves on SAMHSA Technical Advisory Panel
Get In Touch
Contacts
Psychiatry
40 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06510
United States