Source: Interfolio F180
Barbara Mason, PhD
Research Focus
A critical aspect of the conceptual framework under which the Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology is predicated is the dynamic feedback from the research findings of pre-clinical and clinical studies, which are designed to streamline information and provide converging evidence for ultimate clinical use. The critical conceptual framework is that the pre-clinical animal studies will inform the clinical laboratory studies, and the clinical laboratory studies will in turn inform the pre-clinical animal studies to further refine basic research involving animal models and the neuropharmacological approach. This approach has identified neuropharmacological domains that are currently being translated into long-term clinical efficacy studies in collaboration with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Dr. Mason conducted the seminal studies of nalmefene as a novel treatment for alcohol dependence; nalmefene (Selincro) has recently received regulatory approval for this indication throughout the European Union. Dr. Mason also served as overall Principal Investigator for the 21-site U.S. study of acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol dependence, conducted in support of FDA approval. Results from her studies of gabapentin for the treatment of alcohol dependence served as the basis for developing a pivotal trial of Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) as a treatment for alcohol use disorder. Dr. Mason currently serves as Director of the P60 Alcohol Research Center of Excellence. Future Research Plans Future research will include human laboratory studies to rapidly screen potential relapse prevention medications and clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel medications to prevent relapse and reduce symptoms of protracted abstinence in outpatients with alcohol or cannabis use disorders.
Education
Post-doctoral Fellow (Psychopharmacology), Weill Cornell University Medical College Department of Psychiatry, 1983-1987Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology), Long Island University, 1983
B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts), Pratt Institute, 1972
Professional Experience
2003 - present Professor with Tenure, Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience (formerly: the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department; Department of Neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA2003-present Director, Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
2003-present Co-Director to Director, Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
1991-2003 Associate Professor to Professor with Tenure, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
1993-2003 Director, Division of Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
1990-1991 Chief, Alcohol Disorders Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center, New York, New York
1981-1991 Research Associate to Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York
1981-1984 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York
1980-1984 Psychology Intern, Roosevelt Hospital-St. Lukes Medical Center, New York, New York
Awards & Professional Activities
2017 Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award, American Society of Addiction Medicine2009 Path to Recovery Hero, Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing; State of California Senate Recognition
2009 Weill Cornell Alumni Award, Weill Cornell Medicine
2007 Pearson Family Chair, Mark Pearson (donor; member Board of Directors)
2005 Elected Fellow, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
2003 MERIT Award for Medication Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
1999 Dean's Senior Clinical Research Award, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine
1997 Tenure Award, University of Miami School of Medicine
1989 Teacher-Scientist Award, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Cornell University Medical College
Selected Publications
Aziz, Heather C.; Becker, Howard C.; Beneze, Alan; Bess, Jessica; Crabbe, John C.; Eisenstein, Toby K.; Firsick, Evan J.; Grigsby, Kolter B.; Light, John M.; Lopez, Marcelo F.; Mangieri, Regina A.; Mason, Barbara J.; Meissler, Joseph J.; Metten, Pamela; Miller, Jenny; Morissett, Richard A.; Ozburn, Angela R.; Quello, Susan; Roberto, Marisa; Roberts, Amanda J.; Shadan, Farhad; Skinner, Michael H.; Townsley, Kayla G.
Pre-clinical and clinical evidence for suppression of alcohol intake by apremilast
. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2023, 133.[View]
Illenberger, Jessica M.; Flores-Ramirez, Francisco J.; Matzeu, Alessandra; Mason, Barbara J.; Martin‐Fardon, Rémi
Suvorexant, an FDA-approved dual orexin receptor antagonist, reduces oxycodone self-administration and conditioned reinstatement in male and female rats
. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023, 14.[View]
Flores-Ramirez, Francisco J.; Illenberger, Jessica M.; Pascasio, Glenn; Matzeu, Alessandra; Mason, Barbara J.; Martin‐Fardon, Rémi
Alternative use of suvorexant (Belsomra®) for the prevention of alcohol drinking and seeking in rats with a history of alcohol dependence
. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2022, 16.[View]
Bajo, Michal; Gandhi, Pauravi; Khom, Sophia; Kirson, Dean; Mason, Barbara J.; Oleata, Christopher S.; Roberto, Marisa; Rodriguez, Larry; Vendruscolo, Leandro F.
Alcohol dependence and withdrawal increase sensitivity of central amygdalar GABAergic synapses to the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone in male rats.
. Neurobiology of disease 2022, 164, 105610.[View]
mason, barbara j.
Looking Back, Looking Forward: Current Medications and Innovative Potential Medications to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder.
. Alcohol research: current reviews 2022, 42, 10.[View]
Cormack, Francesca; Crean, Rebecca; Langley, Christelle; Mason, Barbara; Sahakian, Barbara J.; Savulich, George; Selamoglu, Ayla
Neuropsychological performance in young adults with cannabis use disorder.
. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 2021, 35, 1349-1355.[View]
Ray, Lara A.; Mason, Barbara J.; Koob, George F.; Mason, Barbara J.; Koob, George F.; Becker, Howard C.; Ray, Lara A.; O'malley, Stephanie S.; Mason, Barbara J.; Mackillop, James; Leggio, Lorenzo; Koob, George F.; King, Andrea C.; Jentsch, James D.; Heilig, Markus; Grodin, Erica N.; Ewing, Sarah W.; Becker, Howard C.; Bechtholt, Anita J. The future of translational research on alcohol use disorder.. Addiction biology 2021, 26, e12903.
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Ait‐Daoud Tiouririne, Nassima; Brooks, Catherine; Brown, E. Sherwood; Brunette, Mary F.; Burns, Heather; Caras, Steven; Cruz, Ricardo; Devine, Eric G.; Dunn, Kelly E.; Falk, Daniel E.; Fertig, Joanne B.; Galloway, Gantt; Green, Alan I.; Gunderson, Erik W.; Kampman, Kyle; Leggio, Lorenzo; Litten, Raye Z.; Mason, Barbara J.; Mendelson, John; Newport, D. Jeffrey; Ransom, Janet; Ray, Lara; Rosenthal, Richard N.; Ryan, Megan L.; Salloum, Ihsan M.; Scott, Charles; Shoptaw, Steven; Strain, Eric C.
Gabapentin Enacarbil Extended-Release for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multisite Trial Assessing Efficacy and Safety
. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 2019, 43, 158-169.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Quello, Susan; Shadan, Farhad
Gabapentin for the treatment of alcohol use disorder
. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 2018, 27, 113-124.[View]
Koob, George F.; Mason, Barbara J.
Existing and Future Drugs for the Treatment of the Dark Side of Addiction
. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2016, 56, 299-322.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Quello, Susan; Goodell, Vivian; Shadan, Farhad F.; Kyle, M. V.; Begovic, Adnan
Gabapentin Treatment for Alcohol Dependence
. JAMA Internal Medicine 2014, 174, 70-77.[View]
Loflin, M. J.; Kiluk, B. D.; Huestis, M. A.; Aklin, W. M.; Budney, A. J.; Carroll, K. M.; D'Souza, D. C.; Dworkin, R. H.; Gray, K. M.; Hasin, D. S.; Lee, D. C.; Le Foll, B.; Levin, F. R.; Lile, J. A.; Mason, Barbara J.; McRae-Clark, A. L.; Montoya, I.; Peters, E. N.; Ramey, T.; Turk, D. C.; Vandrey, R.; Weiss, R. D.; Strain, E. C. The state of clinical outcome assessments for cannabis use disorder clinical trials: A review and research agenda. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2020, 212.
[View]
Mason, Barbara J.
Acamprosate, Alcoholism, and Abstinence
. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2015, 76, e224-e225.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Lehert, Philippe
Acamprosate for Alcohol Dependence: A Sex-Specific Meta-Analysis Based on Individual Patient Data
. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 2012, 36, 497-508.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Crean, Rebecca D.; Goodell, Vivian; Light, John M.; Quello, Susan; Shadan, Farhad F.; Buffkins, Kimberly; Kyle, M. V.; Adusumalli, Murali; Begovic, Adnan; Rao, Subramanyeshwar
A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Gabapentin: Effects on Cannabis Use, Withdrawal and Executive Function Deficits in Cannabis-Dependent Adults
. Neuropsychopharmacology 2012, 37, 1689-1698.[View]
Anton, Raymond F.; O’Malley, Stephanie S.; Ciraulo, Domenic A.; Cisler, Ron A.; Couper, David J.; Donovan, Dennis M.; Gastfriend, David R.; Hosking, James D.; Johnson, Bankole A.; LoCastro, Joseph S.; Longabaugh, Richard; Mason, Barbara J.; Mattson, Margaret E.; Miller, William R.; Pettinati, Helen M.; Randall, Carrie L.; Swift, Robert M.; Weiss, Roger D.; Williams, Lauren D.; Zweben, Allen
Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence
. JAMA 2006, 295, 2003-2017.[View]
Falk, D. E.; Ryan, M. L.; Fertig, J. B.; Devine, E. G.; Cruz, R.; Brown, E. S.; Burns, H.; Salloum, I. M.; Newport, D. J.; Mendelson, J.; Galloway, G.; Kampman, K.; Brooks, C.; Green, A. I.; Brunette, M. F.; Rosenthal, R. N.; Dunn, K. E.; Strain, E. C.; Ray, L.; Shoptaw, S.; Tiouririne, N. A.; Gunderson, E. W.; Ransom, J.; Scott, C.; Leggio, L.; Caras, S.; Mason, Barbara J.; Litten, R. Z. Gabapentin Enacarbil Extended-Release for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multisite Trial Assessing Efficacy and Safety. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research 2019, 43, 158-169.
[View]
Perney, Pascal; Rigole, H.; Mason, Barbara J.; Demattéis, Maurice; Lehert, Philippe
Measuring Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorders
. Journal of addiction medicine 2015, 9, 25-30.[View]
Crean, Rebecca D.; Crane, Natania A.; Mason, Barbara J.
An Evidence-Based Review of Acute and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis Use on Executive Cognitive Functions
. Journal of Addiction Medicine 2011, 5, 1-8.[View]
Crean, Rebecca D.; Tapert, Susan F.; Minassian, Arpi; MacDonald, Kai; Crane, Natania A.; Mason, Barbara J.
Effects of Chronic, Heavy Cannabis Use on Executive Functions
. Journal of Addiction Medicine 2011, 5, 9-15.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Heyser, Charles J.
The neurobiology, clinical efficacy and safety of acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol dependence
. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety 2010, 9, 177-188.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Light, John M.; Williams, Lauren D.; Drobes, David J.
Proof-of-concept human laboratory study for protracted abstinence in alcohol dependence: effects of gabapentin
. Addiction Biology 2009, 14, 73-83.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Quello, S.; Shadan, F. Gabapentin for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 2018, 27, 113-124.
[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Shaham, Yavin; Weiss, Friedbert; Lê, A. D.
Stress, alcohol craving, and relapse risk: mechanisms and viable treatment targets
. Alcohol 2009, 43, 541-543.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Lehert, Philippe
Effects of Nicotine and Illicit Substance Use on Alcoholism Treatment Outcomes and Acamprosate Efficacy
. Journal of Addiction Medicine 2009, 3, 164-171.[View]
Mason, Barbara J. Emerging pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder. Neuropharmacology 2017, 122, 244-253.
[View]
Koob, George F.; Mason, Barbara J. Existing and future drugs for the treatment of the dark side of addiction. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2016, 56, 299-322.
[View]
Perney, Pascal; Lehert, Philippe; Mason, Barbara J.
Sleep Disturbance in Alcoholism: Proposal of a Simple Measurement, and Results from a 24-Week Randomized Controlled Study of Alcohol-Dependent Patients Assessing Acamprosate Efficacy
. Alcohol and Alcoholism 2012, 47, 133-139.[View]
Johnson, Bankole A.; Koob, George F.; Schuckit, Marc A.; Mason, Barbara J.; Ait-Daoud, Nassima
Understanding and Treating Alcohol Dependence
. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 2006, 30, 567-584.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.
A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interaction Study of Acamprosate and Naltrexone
. Neuropsychopharmacology 2002, 27, 596-606.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Ownby, Raymond L.
Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review of Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials
. CNS Spectrums 2000, 5, 58-69.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Salvato, F.; Williams, Lauren D.; Ritvo, Eva C.; Cutler, Robert
A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Nalmefene for Alcohol Dependence
. Archives of General Psychiatry 1999, 56, 719-724.[View]
Mason, Barbara J.; Ritvo, Eva C.; Morgan, Robert O.; Salvato, F.; Goldberg, G.; Welch, Bruce L.; Mantero-Atienza, Emilio
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Nalmefene HCI for Alcohol Dependence
. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 1994, 18, 1162-1167.[View]