Mohini Ranganathan, MBBS
Associate Professor of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
Publications
2026
An opioid-withholding human laboratory paradigm during opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder and chronic pain: Phase- and dose-dependent effects of cannabidiol
P. A. Costa G, Sofuoglu M, Compton P, Ranganathan M, Pittman B, De Aquino J. An opioid-withholding human laboratory paradigm during opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder and chronic pain: Phase- and dose-dependent effects of cannabidiol. Neuropsychopharmacology 2026, 1-10. PMID: 42162267, PMCID: PMC13213852, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-026-02443-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderOpioid agonist treatmentChronic painPain modulationDose-dependent effectAgonist treatmentTemporal summationTemporal summation of painPlacebo-controlled crossover studyUse disorderSignificant linear dose responseHuman laboratory paradigmsNon-opioid adjunctsConditioned pain modulationEndogenous pain modulationDescending pain inhibitionHeat pain thresholdQuantitative sensory testingEffects of cannabidiolCue-induced cravingAssociated with significant reductionsCognitive performanceOral cannabidiolPain inhibitionDouble-blind578. A Preliminary fMRI Study of Acute THC Administration Effects on the Brain’s Excitation/Inhibition (E:I) Balance in Younger and Older Adults
Scheidel K, Pearlson G, D'Souza D, Arnold C, Pichette N, Ranganathan M, Martin A, Cortes-Briones J, Stevens M. 578. A Preliminary fMRI Study of Acute THC Administration Effects on the Brain’s Excitation/Inhibition (E:I) Balance in Younger and Older Adults. Biological Psychiatry 2026, 99: s347. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.03.812.Peer-Reviewed Original Research390. Effects of Cannabis on the Aperiodic EEG Activity in Chronic Cannabis Users and Healthy Controls
Sengupta A, Ranganathan M, D'Souza D, Cortes-Briones J. 390. Effects of Cannabis on the Aperiodic EEG Activity in Chronic Cannabis Users and Healthy Controls. Biological Psychiatry 2026, 99: s266-s267. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.03.624.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBaseline Mismatch Negativity Amplitude Predicts Direction and Magnitude of Ketamine Effect in Healthy Volunteers — A “Disordinal” Effect
Cecchi M, Johannesen J, Farley B, Quirk M, Mahmoud-Zadeh M, Uslaner J, Terry-Lorenzo R, Smith D, Ruhl D, Rotte M, Reese A, O'Donnell P, Mollon J, Missling C, Matsuoka Y, Marino M, Lee S, Korolev I, Klamer D, Jeong A, Honda S, Fadem K, Doherty J, Cohen E, Christensen S, Chadchankar H, Buhl D, Adachi M, D'Souza D, Hamilton H, Ranganathan M, Roach B, Ereshefsky L, Walling D, Potter W, Javitt D, Mathalon D. Baseline Mismatch Negativity Amplitude Predicts Direction and Magnitude of Ketamine Effect in Healthy Volunteers — A “Disordinal” Effect. Biological Psychiatry 2026 PMID: 41997476, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.03.1008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEvent-related potentialsMismatch negativity amplitudeMismatch negativityKetamine effectsNMDA receptorsMMN amplitudePreattentive stageStages of auditory information processingCrossover interactionEvent-related potential studySymptoms of schizophreniaBaseline MMN amplitudeNMDAR-mediated neurotransmissionKetamine-induced changesAuditory event-related potentialsResponse to ketamineNMDA receptor antagonistFrequent standard stimuliPassive oddball paradigmCentral nervous system disordersTreatment of central nervous system disordersAuditory information processingPrecision medicine approachNervous system disordersPredicted directionSponsorship and Career Advancement for Asian Medical Faculty
Sebastian D, Herrera K, Ranganathan M, Landeros-Weisenberger A, Latimore D. Sponsorship and Career Advancement for Asian Medical Faculty. JAMA Network Open 2026, 9: e2553241. PMID: 41511770, PMCID: PMC12789948, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.53241.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQualitative studyThematic analysisFocus groupsThematic analysis of transcriptsFocus group transcriptsAcademic medicineAcademic medical centerSelf-reported understandingCareer advancementFaculty membersEducation sessionsMultifactorial barriersGroup transcriptsEducational interventionAnalysis of transcriptsLeadership developmentMain OutcomesSurvey participantsThematic categoriesParticipation ratesGroup discussionsPrimary outcomeMedical CenterSponsor trainingPolling data
2025
Combining DNA methylation features and clinical characteristics predicts ketamine treatment response for PTSD
Valizadeh A, Roache J, Zhang X, Hu Y, Gueorguieva R, Averill L, Ranganathan M, Wang Z, Williamson D, Shiroma P, Girgenti M, Petrakis I, López-Roca A, Young-McCaughan S, Keane T, Peterson A, Abdallah C, Krystal J, Xu K, PTSD F. Combining DNA methylation features and clinical characteristics predicts ketamine treatment response for PTSD. IScience 2025, 29: 114445. PMID: 41561376, PMCID: PMC12814687, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.114445.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPost-traumatic stress disorderDNA methylation patternsDNA methylation featuresDNA methylation profilesStudies of ketamineBlood DNA methylation profilesBenefits of ketamineTreatment responseNear genesRisk lociMethylation sitesMethylation patternsMethylation featuresStress disorderMethylation profilesGlutamatergic signalingResponse subgroupsKetamineClinical measuresClinical variablesRandomized studyImmune regulationBiological variablesLociCpGsA translational neuroscience & computational evaluation of a D1R partial agonist for schizophrenia (TRANSCENDS): Rationale and study design of a brain-based clinical trial
Fonteneau C, Tamayo Z, Price A, Pan L, Afriyie-Agyemang Y, Agrawal S, Butler A, Cail C, Calkins M, Chakilam A, Forselius-Bielen K, Fram G, Frazier A, Gil R, Govil P, Gray D, Grinband J, Gur R, Haubold N, Heffernan Z, Heneks M, Kegeles L, Kohler C, Lin C, Lu J, Mayer M, Pham P, Perlman G, Rahmati M, Ranganathan M, Santamauro N, Schutte C, Selloni A, Van Snellenberg J, Surti T, Wolf D, Zharyy C, Group T, Abi-Dargham A, Gur R, Lieberman J, Kantrowitz J, Anticevic A, Cho Y, Krystal J. A translational neuroscience & computational evaluation of a D1R partial agonist for schizophrenia (TRANSCENDS): Rationale and study design of a brain-based clinical trial. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2025, 194: 196-210. PMID: 41519104, PMCID: PMC13138834, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.12.020.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsPartial agonistCognitive impairmentSpatial working memoryDouble-blind doseWorking memoryD1/D5 receptorsFunctional neuroimagingNeural mechanismsSchizophreniaTranslational neuroscienceCognitive paradigmNeural circuitsUntreated symptomsD1RDecades of researchFMRIClinical trialsMicro-circuitryNeuroscienceAgonistsImpairmentStudy designD1/D5Clinical dataNeuroimagingArtificial Intelligence in Depression-Medication Enhancement (AID-ME): A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Deep-Learning-Enabled Clinical Decision Support System for Personalized Depression Treatment Selection and Management.
Benrimoh D, Whitmore K, Richard M, Golden G, Perlman K, Jalali S, Friesen T, Barkat Y, Mehltretter J, Fratila R, Armstrong C, Israel S, Popescu C, Karp J, Parikh S, Golchi S, Moodie E, Shen J, Gifuni A, Ferrari M, Sapra M, Kloiber S, Pinard G, Dunlop B, Looper K, Ranganathan M, Enault M, Beaulieu S, Rej S, Hersson-Edery F, Steiner W, Anacleto A, Qassim S, McGuire-Snieckus R, Margolese H. Artificial Intelligence in Depression-Medication Enhancement (AID-ME): A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Deep-Learning-Enabled Clinical Decision Support System for Personalized Depression Treatment Selection and Management. The Journal Of Clinical Psychiatry 2025, 86 PMID: 40875536, DOI: 10.4088/jcp.24m15634.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor depressive disorderSevere major depressive disorderClinical decision support systemsMajor depressive disorder outcomesActive-control groupBaseline MADRSDepressive disorderSpeed of improvementDecision support systemIndividual antidepressantsConclusions:Outpatient adultsMethods:Treatment selectionResults:Preliminary evidenceActive-controlled trialMADRSStudy exitSupport systemRemission probabilityActive-controlledAdverse eventsEligible patientsPrimary care cliniciansThe Potential Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review
Shafie M, Ing K, Rostam‐Abadi Y, Weleff J, Griffin M, Ranganathan M, Aghaei A, Pratt N, Funaro M, Nia A. The Potential Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review. Addiction Biology 2025, 30: e70047. PMID: 40415392, PMCID: PMC12104536, DOI: 10.1111/adb.70047.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsOpioid use disorderOUD outcomesUse disorderConditioned place preference paradigmPlace preference paradigmReducing withdrawal symptomsPotential of cannabidiolSubstance use disordersEfficacy of cannabidiolTreatment of opioid use disorderPreclinical studiesClinical studiesOpioid use disorder treatmentPreference paradigmAnxiety symptomsWithdrawal symptomsPsychiatric disordersEffective treatment approachTreatment optionsHuman studiesCannabidiolAnimal studiesSystematic reviewShort-term follow-upCraving
2024
Sex 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: 2145-2155. PMID: 38832949, PMCID: PMC12954630, 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
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Brain Changes and Cannabis Use Study
IRB ID2000032181RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/31/2027Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 75 yearsM1 Schizophrenia PET Study
IRB ID2000031171RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date04/30/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 55 yearsSchizophrenia Spectrum Biomarkers Consortium (SSBC)
IRB ID2000029485RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2030Recruiting ParticipantsImaging Cannabinoid Receptors Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning
IRB ID1005006735RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2016Recruiting ParticipantsGenderMaleAge18 years - 55 yearsA longitudinal study of the effects of cannabis exposure on neuro-development in adolescents and young adults
IRB ID2000024543RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/31/2021Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge13 years - 25 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News & Links
Media
YC-SCAN2 January 2026 Webinar
The January 2026 YC-SCAN2 webinar titled “Sex Differences in Cannabinoid Pharmacology” featured Dr. Mohini Ranganathan, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Ranganathan presented an in-depth overview of sex differences in cannabinoid pharmacology, highlighting longstanding research gaps related to the historical underrepresentation of women in cannabis studies and recent efforts to address these disparities. Drawing on over two decades of research, she discussed biological and clinical factors underlying sex-specific responses to cannabinoids, including differences in receptor availability, hormonal influences, and patterns of cannabis use. Her presentation emphasized emerging human laboratory and PET imaging data, showing that women may be more sensitive to the rewarding effects of THC at lower doses, and underscored the critical need for intentional, sex-specific and interdisciplinary approaches in future cannabinoid research.
News
- May 21, 2026Source: Neuropsychopharmacology
An Opioid-Withholding Human Laboratory Paradigm During Opioid Agonist Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: Phase- and Dose-Dependent Effects of Cannabidiol
- February 11, 2026Source: iScience
Combining DNA Methylation Features and Clinical Characteristics Predicts Ketamine Treatment Response for PTSD
- January 14, 2026Source: JAMA Network Open
Sponsorship and Career Advancement for Asian Medical Faculty
- February 28, 2025Source: Yale Ventures
YSM Faculty Win Awards From the Blavatnik Fund for Innovation at Yale