Martinez Lab

We research treatments for substance use disorders, chronic pain, and other disorders. This work includes interventions, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ketamine therapy, or transcranial electrical stimulation therapy (TEST). We also conduct research on how to improve the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders in the community, and how these disorders may affect regular medical care.

Recent publications:

The Neurocircuitry of Substance Use Disorder, Treatment, and Change: A Resource for Clinical Psychiatrists.

Caesar G Imperio, Frances R Levin, Diana Martinez; Am J Psychiatry 2024 Nov 1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39380375/

This article reviews treatments for substance use disorders and the neuroscience behind these treatments. We also provide links resources that can provide medical education on treating SUD.

Some resources from the publication are listed here:

• The Providers Clinical Support System offers free training on treatments for SUD for all health care providers (webinars, training, and mentorship from an addiction psychiatrist) at no charge. APA members can access training on the management of substance use disorder through its website.
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Society of Addiction Medicine offer webinars and courses opportunities (board certification in addiction psychiatry/medicine is not required).
• Through the Opioid Response Network authors of this paper are available to provide training to health care providers and community organizers (without charge). Please contact Diana Martinez with questions (dm437@cumc.columbia.edu)

Clinical Implications of the Relationship Between Naltrexone Plasma Levels and the Subjective Effects of Heroin in Humans.

Felipe Castillo , Hannah M Harris, Dania Lerman, Adam Bisaga, Edward V Nunes, Zhijun Zhang, Melanie Wall, Sandra D Comer J Addict Med 2024  (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38126709/)

This study investigated plasma levels of naltrexone (following extended-release administration) and the subjective effects of heroin. It showed that plasma levels greater than 2 ng/mL may be required for consistent blockade, which id higher than the range of 1 to 2 ng/mL often considered to be therapeutic.

Modeling social cognition in alcohol use disorder: lessons from schizophrenia
Perini I, Pabst A, Martinez D, Maurage P, Heilig M. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2024
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38761256/

This review paper discusses the impact of social cognition in alcohol use disorder and the impact addressing this issue could have in developing novel treatments. This includes deficits in emotion recognition, understanding social cues, making inferences about others’ thoughts and intentions, and responding in context.

An Approach to Enhancing Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the HEALing Communities Study

Wai JM, Blevins D, Hunt T, Gilbert L, Campbell AN, Levin FR, El-Bassel N, Nunes E. An Approach to Enhancing Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the HEALing Communities Study. Psychiatric Services. 2024 Jun 1;75(6):580-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38347814/

Access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remains a major barrier for treatment. This paper outlines the approaches used by the New York site of the four-state HEAling Communities Study to engage participating rural and urban communities in enhancing the delivery of MOUD.

Improving thiamine prescribing in alcohol use disorder using electronic decision support in a large urban academic medical center: A pre-post intervention study

Baron SW, Wai JM, Aloezos C, Cregin R, Ceresnak J, Dekhtyar J, Southern WN. Improving thiamine prescribing in alcohol use disorder using electronic decision support in a large urban academic medical center: A pre-post intervention study. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. 2024 Nov 1;166:209485. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39153734/

Up to 75% of hospitalized patients with AUD are not prescribed thiamine during hospitalization despite the known risk of developing Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. This pre-post study shows that electronic decision support without any other educational interventions can increase the use of high-dose thiamine repletion among patients with alcohol-related diagnoses.

Drugs, Mental health, and the Brain

Dr. Martinez gives a seminar to middle and high school parents, counselors, and educators on how science can be used to address drug use. The goal is to increase awareness on the risks of drugs, including accidents and overdose, and how to improve safety. She also discusses the role of mental illness and self-medication on problematic drug use and the development of addiction. There is no fee for this seminar. Parent groups, counselors, and educators can contact her at dm437@cumc.columbia.edu with any questions.