Mehdi Farokhnia

2025

Alcohol consumption and childhood trauma impact serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with alcohol use disorder

Abshire, K. M., Schwandt, M. L., Diazgranados, N., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Mar 2025, In: Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research. 49, 3, p. 599-608 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Bariatric surgery and alcohol and substance use: A case-control survey study

Speed, S. N., Sherman, G. T., Wang, T., Pince, C. L., Sanfilippo, J. E., Montemitro, C., Giorgi, S., Curtis, B. L., Farinelli, L. A., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Feb 1 2025, In: Drug and alcohol dependence. 267, 112529.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Circulating Immune and Endocrine Markers in Currently Drinking and Abstinent Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder and Controls

Tyler, R., Vizioli, C., Barb, J., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., May 2025, In: Addiction Biology. 30, 5, e70039.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Utilizing blood inflammatory markers in alcohol studies: Considerations and recommendations for study design, sample collection, and data analysis

Grodin, E. N., Karoly, H., Browning, B. D., Coleman, L., Farokhnia, M., Kryszak, L. A., Meredith, L. R. & Squeglia, L. M., Jun 2025, In: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 173, 106142.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2024

Amylin in Alcohol Addiction: A Potential New Treatment Target or an Adjuvant to Other Treatments?

Boukabara, S., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Apr 17 2024, In: ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 15, 8, p. 1609-1610 2 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a GHSR blocker in people with alcohol use disorder

Faulkner, M. L., Farokhnia, M., Lee, M. R., Farinelli, L., Browning, B. D., Abshire, K., Daurio, A. M., Munjal, V., Deschaine, S. L., Boukabara, S. R., Fortney, C., Sherman, G., Schwandt, M., Akhlaghi, F., Momenan, R., Ross, T. J., Persky, S. & Leggio, L., Dec 20 2024, In: JCI Insight. 9, 24, e182331.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Gut microbial diversity and functional characterization in people with alcohol use disorder: A case-control study

Piacentino, D., Vizioli, C., Barb, J. J., Grant-Beurmann, S., Bouhlal, S., Battista, J. T., Jennings, O., Lee, M. R., Schwandt, M. L., Walter, P., Henderson, W. A., Chen, K., Turner, S., Yang, S., Fraser, C. M., Farinelli, L. A., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Jun 2024, In: PloS one. 19, 6 June, e0302195.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

International perspectives on opioid use disorder and treatment: Results from an online convenience sample

Melby, K., Farokhnia, M., Tolomeo, S., Bhad, R., Bramnes, J. G., Baldacchino, A., Rao, R., Kandasami, G., Butner, J. L., Phan, V., Fonseca, F., Rafei, P., Long, J., Tzeferakos, G. & Dom, G., 2024, In: Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems. 26, 1, 5.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

IUPHAR review – Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and substance use disorders: An emerging pharmacotherapeutic target

Bruns VI, N., Tressler, E. H., Vendruscolo, L. F., Leggio, L. & Farokhnia, M., Sep 2024, In: Pharmacological Research. 207, 107312.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Open Access

Reduced drug use as an alternative valid outcome in individuals with stimulant use disorders: Findings from 13 multisite randomized clinical trials

Amin-Esmaeili, M., Farokhnia, M., Susukida, R., Leggio, L., Johnson, R. M., Crum, R. M. & Mojtabai, R., May 2024, In: Addiction. 119, 5, p. 833-843 11 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Spirituality and behavioural addictions: narrative review

Kanabar, M., Kathiresan, P., Elkholy, H., Zonoozi, A. K., Orsolini, L., Long, J., Farokhnia, M., Bhad, R., Butner, J. L., Fonseca, F., Phan, V., Achab, S. & Potenza, M. N., Aug 1 2024, In: BJPsych International. 21, 3, p. 59-61 3 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

The crosstalk between fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) system and substance use

Wang, T., Tyler, R. E., Ilaka, O., Cooper, D., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Jul 19 2024, In: iScience. 27, 7, 110389.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Open Access

Trajectories of craving in the course of pharmacotherapy trials for methamphetamine use disorder

Mojtabai, R., Susukida, R., Farokhnia, M., Nguyen, T. Q., Dunn, K. E. & Amin-Esmaeili, M., Oct 2024, In: Addiction. 119, 10, p. 1803-1812 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

A human laboratory study on the link between alcohol administration and circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in individuals with alcohol use disorder

Farokhnia, M., Wang, T., Jourdan, T., Godlewski, G., Farinelli, L. A., Kunos, G. & Leggio, L., Apr 1 2023, In: Drug and alcohol dependence. 245, 109809.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

An online global survey and follow-up expert groups on the scope and needs related to training, research, and mentorship among early-career addiction medicine professionals

ISAM NExT Consortium, Jul 17 2023, In: Global Mental Health. 10, e44.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Approved, promising, and experimental medications for treatment of alcohol use disorder

Lékó, A. H., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Oct 24 2023, Alcohol and Alcohol-related Diseases. Springer International Publishing, p. 261-288 28 p.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

GLP-1 receptor agonists are promising but unproven treatments for alcohol and substance use disorders

Leggio, L., Hendershot, C. S., Farokhnia, M., Fink-Jensen, A., Klausen, M. K., Schacht, J. P. & Simmons, W. K., Dec 2023, In: Nature medicine. 29, 12, p. 2993-2995 3 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Initial Pharmacological Characterization of a Major Hydroxy Metabolite of PF-5190457: Inverse Agonist Activity of PF-6870961 at the Ghrelin Receptor

Deschaine, S. L., Hedegaard, M. A., Pince, C. L., Farokhnia, M., Moose, J. E., Stock, I. A., Adusumalli, S., Akhlaghi, F., Hougland, J. L., Sulima, A., Rice, K. C., Koob, G. F., Vendruscolo, L. F., Holst, B. & Leggio, L., Aug 1 2023, In: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 386, 2, p. 117-128 12 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Investigating the relationship between early life adversity, inflammation and alcohol use

Battista, J. T., Piacentino, D., Schwandt, M. L., Lee, M. R., Faulkner, M. L., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., May 2023, In: Addiction Biology. 28, 5, e13274.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Relationship between self-stigma about alcohol dependence and severity of alcohol drinking and craving

Crozier, M. E., Farokhnia, M., Persky, S., Leggio, L. & Curtis, B., Nov 22 2023, In: BMJ Mental Health. 26, 1, 300852.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Role of aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in addiction: A scoping review

Pince, C. L., Whiting, K. E., Wang, T., Lékó, A. H., Farinelli, L. A., Cooper, D., Farokhnia, M., Vendruscolo, L. F. & Leggio, L., Nov 2023, In: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 154, 105427.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission

Chuong, V., Farokhnia, M., Khom, S., Pince, C. L., Elvig, S. K., Vlkolinsky, R., Marchette, R. C. N., Koob, G. F., Roberto, M., Vendruscolo, L. F. & Leggio, L., 2023, In: JCI Insight. 8, 12, e170671.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

2022

A closer look at alcohol-induced changes in the ghrelin system: novel insights from preclinical and clinical data

Deschaine, S. L., Farokhnia, M., Gregory-Flores, A., Zallar, L. J., You, Z. B., Sun, H., Harvey, D. M., Marchette, R. C. N., Tunstall, B. J., Mani, B. K., Moose, J. E., Lee, M. R., Gardner, E., Akhlaghi, F., Roberto, M., Hougland, J. L., Zigman, J. M., Koob, G. F., Vendruscolo, L. F. & Leggio, L., Jan 2022, In: Addiction Biology. 27, 1, e13033.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Changes in plasma ghrelin levels following surgical and non-surgical weight-loss in female rats predict alcohol use

Orellana, E., Horvath, N., Farokhnia, M., Leggio, L. & Hajnal, A., Oct 1 2022, In: Brain Research Bulletin. 188, p. 179-186 8 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Differential association between the GLP1R gene variants and brain functional connectivity according to the severity of alcohol use

Farokhnia, M., Fede, S. J., Grodin, E. N., Browning, B. D., Crozier, M. E., Schwandt, M. L., Hodgkinson, C. A., Momenan, R. & Leggio, L., Dec 2022, In: Scientific reports. 12, 1, 13027.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

FGF21 regulates alcohol intake: New hopes on the rise for alcohol use disorder treatment?

Wang, T., Farokhnia, M. & Leggio, L., Mar 15 2022, In: Cell Reports Medicine. 3, 3, 100578.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Open Access

Harm reduction and abstinence-based models for treatment of substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective

Narasimha, V. L., Butner, J., Hanafi, E., Farokhnia, M., Bhad, R., Chalabianloo, F., Kouimtsidis, C., Baldacchino, A. & Arunogiri, S., Aug 30 2022, In: BJPsych International. 19, 3, p. 66-69 4 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Open Access

Racial Differences in the Association between Alcohol Drinking and Cigarette Smoking: Preliminary Findings from an Alcohol Research Program

Harris, J. C., Mereish, E. H., Faulkner, M. L., Assari, S., Choi, K., Leggio, L. & Farokhnia, M., May 1 2022, In: Alcohol and Alcoholism. 57, 3, p. 330-339 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Role of the ghrelin system in alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease: A narrative review

Kharbanda, K. K., Farokhnia, M., Deschaine, S. L., Bhargava, R., Rodriguez-Flores, M., Casey, C. A., Goldstone, A. P., Jerlhag, E., Leggio, L. & Rasineni, K., Dec 2022, In: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 46, 12, p. 2149-2159 11 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Open Access

Sex Differences in Opioid and Psychostimulant Craving and Relapse: A Critical Review^S

Nicolas, C., Zlbnik, N. E., Farokhnia, M., Lggio, L., Ikmoto, S. & Shaham, Y., Jan 1 2022, In: Pharmacological reviews. 74, 1, p. 119-140 22 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Spironolactone as a potential new pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder: convergent evidence from rodent and human studies

Farokhnia, M., Rentsch, C. T., Chuong, V., McGinn, M. A., Elvig, S. K., Douglass, E. A., Gonzalez, L. A., Sanfilippo, J. E., Marchette, R. C. N., Tunstall, B. J., Fiellin, D. A., Koob, G. F., Justice, A. C., Leggio, L. & Vendruscolo, L. F., Nov 2022, In: Molecular psychiatry. 27, 11, p. 4642-4652 11 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

The glucagon-like peptide-1 system is modulated by acute and chronic alcohol exposure: Findings from human laboratory experiments and a post-mortem brain study

Farokhnia, M., Browning, B. D., Crozier, M. E., Sun, H., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Sep 2022, In: Addiction Biology. 27, 5, e13211.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

The Mineralocorticoid Receptor: An Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Target for Alcohol Use Disorder?

Lékó, A. H., McGinn, M. A. & Farokhnia, M., Jul 6 2022, In: ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 13, 13, p. 1832-1834 3 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

A deeper insight into how GABA-B receptor agonism via baclofen may affect alcohol seeking and consumption: lessons learned from a human laboratory investigation

Farokhnia, M., Deschaine, S. L., Sadighi, A., Farinelli, L. A., Lee, M. R., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Feb 2021, In: Molecular psychiatry. 26, 2, p. 545-555 11 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

A population-based investigation of the association between alcohol intake and serum total ghrelin concentrations among cigarette-smoking, non-alcohol-dependent male individuals

Farokhnia, M., Murphy, G., Weinstein, S. J., Shah, N. N., Parisi, D., Albanes, D. & Leggio, L., Sep 1 2021, In: Drug and alcohol dependence. 226, 108835.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Blood Biomarkers of Alcohol Use: A Scoping Review

Harris, J. C., Leggio, L. & Farokhnia, M., Dec 2021, In: Current Addiction Reports. 8, 4, p. 500-508 9 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Open Access

Differential correlation of serum BDNF and microRNA content in rats with rapid or late onset of heavy alcohol use

Ehinger, Y., Phamluong, K., Darevesky, D., Welman, M., Moffat, J. J., Sakhai, S. A., Whiteley, E. L., Berger, A. L., Laguesse, S., Farokhnia, M., Leggio, L., Lordkipanidzé, M. & Ron, D., Mar 2021, In: Addiction Biology. 26, 2, e12890.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Effectiveness of spironolactone dispensation in reducing weekly alcohol use: a retrospective high-dimensional propensity score-matched cohort study

Palzes, V. A., Farokhnia, M., Kline-Simon, A. H., Elson, J., Sterling, S., Leggio, L., Weisner, C. & Chi, F. W., Nov 2021, In: Neuropsychopharmacology. 46, 12, p. 2140-2147 8 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Effect of intravenous ghrelin administration, combined with alcohol, on circulating metabolome in heavy drinking individuals with alcohol use disorder

Kärkkäinen, O., Farokhnia, M., Klåvus, A., Auriola, S., Lehtonen, M., Deschaine, S. L., Piacentino, D., Abshire, K. M., Jackson, S. N. & Leggio, L., Nov 2021, In: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 45, 11, p. 2207-2216 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Effect of oral alcohol administration on plasma cytokine concentrations in heavy drinking individuals

Lee, M. R., Abshire, K. M., Farokhnia, M., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Aug 1 2021, In: Drug and alcohol dependence. 225, 108771.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Leptin Gene and Leptin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Alcohol Use Disorder: Findings Related to Psychopathology

Browning, B. D., Schwandt, M. L., Farokhnia, M., Deschaine, S. L., Hodgkinson, C. A. & Leggio, L., Aug 6 2021, In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. 12, 723059.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Neuroendocrine Response to Exogenous Ghrelin Administration, Combined with Alcohol, in Heavy-Drinking Individuals: Findings from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Human Laboratory Study

Farokhnia, M., Abshire, K. M., Hammer, A., Deschaine, S. L., Saravanakumar, A., Cobbina, E., You, Z. B., Haass-Koffler, C. L., Lee, M. R., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Jun 1 2021, In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 24, 6, p. 464-476 13 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Patterns of reduced use and abstinence in multi-site randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherapies for cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders

Amin-Esmaeili, M., Susukida, R., Johnson, R. M., Farokhnia, M., Crum, R. M., Thrul, J. & Mojtabai, R., Sep 1 2021, In: Drug and alcohol dependence. 226, 108904.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

Effects of exogenous ghrelin administration and ghrelin receptor blockade, in combination with alcohol, on peripheral inflammatory markers in heavy-drinking individuals: Results from two human laboratory studies

Farokhnia, M., Portelli, J., Lee, M. R., McDiarmid, G. R., Munjal, V., Abshire, K. M., Battista, J. T., Browning, B. D., Deschaine, S. L., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Aug 1 2020, In: Brain research. 1740, 146851.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study

Farokhnia, M., McDiarmid, G. R., Newmeyer, M. N., Munjal, V., Abulseoud, O. A., Huestis, M. A. & Leggio, L., Dec 1 2020, In: Translational psychiatry. 10, 1, 71.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Endocrine effects of the novel ghrelin receptor inverse agonist PF-5190457: Results from a placebo-controlled human laboratory alcohol co-administration study in heavy drinkers

Lee, M. R., Farokhnia, M., Cobbina, E., Saravanakumar, A., Li, X., Battista, J. T., Farinelli, L. A., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Jun 15 2020, In: Neuropharmacology. 170, 107788.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Investigating the link between serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavioral measures in anxious alcohol-dependent individuals

Portelli, J., Farokhnia, M., Deschaine, S. L., Battista, J. T., Lee, M. R., Li, X., Ron, D. & Leggio, L., Dec 2020, In: Alcohol. 89, p. 75-83 9 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Long-Acting Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Suppress Voluntary Alcohol Intake in Male Wistar Rats

Marty, V. N., Farokhnia, M., Munier, J. J., Mulpuri, Y., Leggio, L. & Spigelman, I., Dec 23 2020, In: Frontiers in Neuroscience. 14, 599646.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

The novel ghrelin receptor inverse agonist PF-5190457 administered with alcohol: preclinical safety experiments and a phase 1b human laboratory study

Lee, M. R., Tapocik, J. D., Ghareeb, M., Schwandt, M. L., Dias, A. A., Le, A. N., Cobbina, E., Farinelli, L. A., Bouhlal, S., Farokhnia, M., Heilig, M., Akhlaghi, F. & Leggio, L., Feb 1 2020, In: Molecular psychiatry. 25, 2, p. 461-475 15 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

The Promise of Neuroimmune Targets for Treating Drug Addiction and Other Psychiatric Disorders: Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Exemplification

Farokhnia, M., Berger, A. L., Karoly, H. C., Hwa, L. S. & Varodayan, F. P., Mar 17 2020, In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. 11, 220.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Mehdi Farokhnia

Research output

Search results