The primary contributions of the Human Performance Laboratory to psychopharmacology and substance abuse research have been in the areas of marijuana abuse, dependence, and withdrawal. Our best-known studies compared the effects of commonly used drugs on measures of body sway and simulated driving. Our data have provided clinically relevant information for drivers, including the finding that impairments from a standard marijuana cigarette were comparable to those from the equivalent of two standard drinks. We have also made research advances in the area of marijuana withdrawal and craving through collaborations with the University of Vermont and Johns Hopkins University. These collaborations have provided direct comparisons of marijuana and tobacco withdrawal, as well as the development and validation of a novel craving scale. Our current lines of research are focused on predicting, defining, and reducing binge drinking, as well as quantifying next-day impairments from commonly used sleep medications.

Smith JE, Co C, Yin X, Sizemore GM, Liguori A, Johnson WE, Martin TJ. (2004). Involvement of cholinergic neuronal systems in intravenous cocaine self-administration. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 27: 841-850

Hughes JR, Oliveto AH, Riggs R, Kenny M, Liguori A, Pillitteri JL, MacLaughlin MA. (2004). Concordance of different measures of nicotine dependence: Two pilot studies. Addictive Behaviors 29:1527-1539 

Whitlow CT, Liguori A, Livengood LB, Hart SL, Mussat-Whitlow BJ, Lamborn CM, Frasca TA, Laurienti PJ, Porrino LJ. (2004). Long-term heavy marijuana users make costly decisions on a gambling task. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 76:107-111

Feldman SR, Liguori A, Kucenic M, Rapp SR, Fleischer AB, Lang W, Kaur M. (2004). UV exposure is a reinforcing stimulus in frequent indoor tanners. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 51:45-51 

Kaur M, Liguori A, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR. (2005). Side effects of naltrexone observed in frequent tanners: Could frequent tanners have ultraviolet-induced high opioid levels? Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 52:916.

Kaur M, Liguori A, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR. (2005). Indoor tanning relieves pain. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine 21:278.

Kaur M, Liguori A, Lang W, Rapp SR, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR. (2006). Induction of withdrawal-like symptoms in a small randomized, controlled trial of opioid blockade in frequent tanners. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54:709-11. 

Kaur M, Liguori A, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR. (2006). Plasma beta-endorphin levels in frequent and infrequent tanners before and after ultraviolet and non-ultraviolet stimuli. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54:919-920. 

Dawes MA, Liguori A, Dougherty DM. (2006). Cannabis withdrawal among adolescent cannabis users in an outpatient research setting. American Journal on Addictions 15:485-486.

Liguori A. (2006). “Marijuana and driving: Trends, design issues, and future recommendations”. In Pot Politics: Marijuana and the Costs of Prohibition (Ed.: Mitch Earleywine). Oxford University Press.

Dougherty DM, Mathias CW, Liguori A, Marsh DM, Dawes MA, Moeller FG. (2007). Behavioral impulsivity in adolescents with conduct disorder who use marijuana. Addictive Disorders and their Treatment 6:43-50. 

Shannon EE, Mathias CW, Marsh DM, Dougherty DM, Liguori A. (in press). Teenagers don’t always lie: Characteristics and correspondence of telephone and in-person reports of adolescent drug use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Vandrey RG, Budney AB, Hughes JR, Liguori A. (in press). A within-subject comparison of withdrawal symptoms during abstinence from cannabis, tobacco, and both substances. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 92:48-54.

Coming soon . .