Joao P. De Aquino, MD
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
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
Clinical Guidelines; Pharmacoepidemiology
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 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, PMCID: PMC11521207, 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, 90: 3036-3053. PMID: 38627909, PMCID: PMC11480258, 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, 90: 2985-3002. 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, 90: 3054-3066. 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
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
Clinical Care
Overview
Joao P. De Aquino, MD, is a psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine, with a focus on treating individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. He integrates clinical care with a broad range of research approaches to develop effective, evidence-based treatments for pain and addiction.
Dr. De Aquino is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and assistant director for research affairs in the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit. He leads translational research at the intersection of chronic pain and substance use disorders and directs the Pain and Addiction Interaction Neuroscience (PAIN) Lab.
Dr. De Aquino earned his medical degree from the Federal University of Ceará in Brazil and completed residency and fellowship training at Yale School of Medicine. He has been recognized as a Laughlin Fellow by the American College of Psychiatrists and honored by several professional societies, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and the United States Association for the Study of Pain. He also serves as a reviewer for the National Institutes of Health study sections and sits on the editorial boards of leading addiction journals.
Clinical Specialties
Psychiatry; Addiction Medicine
News & Links
News
- February 26, 2025Source: Behind the Evidence by AOD Health
Season 2 Episode 4: Two interviews with Joao P. De Aquino, MD and Donovan Maust, MD on the impact of cannabis on OUD treatment, and benzodiazepine discontinuation
- January 22, 2025Source: Vimeo
PCSS-MAUD Mini Videos
- January 15, 2025Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence
The Bidirectional Relationship Between Pain and Tobacco Use: Insights from the Longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study
- January 03, 2025Source: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Buprenorphine Versus Full Agonist Opioids for Acute Postoperative Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Get In Touch
Contacts
Locations
VA Connecticut Healthcare
Lab
950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.