Characterizing the human brain’s response to alcohol. Combining training in Electrical Engineering and Psychiatry, Dr. O’Connor’s research program invents methods of controlling the brain’s exposure to alcohol with precision, and measures the changes in brain function that occur when a variety of those exposures are applied in different projects. Some projects seek to detect genetic influences that correlate with an increased vulnerability to future alcohol dependence. Other projects develop technology that will change the way research on alcohol effects and on development of drugs for treatment of alcoholism is carried out. Dr. O’Connor’s clinical program provides treatment to over 1000 Veterans a year who are addicted to alcohol, cocaine, opiates, nicotine or cannabis.

Engleman EA, Ingraham CM, Franklin KM, Keith CM, McClaren JA, Schultz JA, Morzorati SL, O’Connor S, Thielen RJ, Murphy JM, McBride WJ. (2008) In Vivo Time-Course Changes in Ethanol Levels Sampled With Subcutaneous Microdialysis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 32:435-442.

Yoder KK, Constantinescu CC, Kareken DA, Normandin MD, Cheng TE, O’Connor S, Morris ED. (2007) Heterogeneous effects of alcohol on dopamine release in the striatum: a PET study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 31:965-73.

Han JJ, Plawecki MH, Doerschuk PC, Ramchandani VA, O'Connor S. (2006) Ordinary differential equation models for ethanol pharmacokinetic based on anatomy and physiology. Conference Proceedings: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society 1:5033-6.

Ramchandani VA. O'Connor S. (2006) Studying alcohol elimination using the alcohol clamp method. Alcohol Research & Health29:286-90.

Ramchandani V, O’Connor S, Neumark Y, Zimmermann U, Morzorati S, de Wit H (2006) The Alcohol Clamp: Applications, Challenges and New Directions – An RSA 2004 Symposium Summary.  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 30:155-164.

Yoder K, Kareken D, Seyoum R, O’Connor S, Wang C, Zheng Q-H, Mock B, Morris E (2005) Dopamine D2 receptor availability is associated with subjective responses to alcohol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 29:965-970.

Edenberg HJ, Dick DM, Xuei X, Tian H, Almasy L, Bauer LO, Crowe RR, Goate A, Hesselbrock V, Jones K, Kwon J, Li TK, Nurnberger JI Jr, O'Connor SJ, Reich T, Rice J, Schuckit MA, Porjesz B, Foroud T, Begleiter H (2004) Variations in GABRA2, encoding the alpha 2 subunit of the GABA(A) receptor, are associated with alcohol dependence and with brain oscillations. Am J Hum Genet 74:705-714.

Davidson D, Saha C, Scrifes S, Fyffe J, O’Connor S, Suelzer C (2004) Naltrexone and Brief Therapy to Reduce Heavy Drinking in Hazardous Drinkers. Addict Behav 29:1253-1258.

Kareken DA, Claus ED, Sabri S, Dzemidzic M, Kosobud AE, Radnovich AJ, Hector D, Ramchandani VA, O’Connor SJ, Lowe M, & Li T-K (2004) Alcohol-related olfactory cues activate the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area in high-risk drinkers. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 28:550-557

Neumark Y, Durst D, Ramchandani V, Li T-K, Friedlander Y Carr L, O’Connor S (2004) Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH2) Polymorphisms Influence Alcohol Elimination Rates in a Male Jewish Population. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 28:10-14.

Jones KA, Porjesz B, Almasy L, Bierut L, Goate A, Wang JC, Dick D, Hinrichs A, Kwon J, Rice J, Rohrbough J, Stock, H, Wu W, Bauer LO, Chorlilan DB, Crowe RR, Edenberg HJ, Foroud T, Hesselbrock V, Kuperman S, Nurnberger J Jr, O’Connor SJ, Schuckit, MA, Stimus AT, Tischfield JA, Reich T, Begleiter H (2004) Linkage and linkage disequilibrium of evoked EEG oscillations with CHRM2 receptor gene polymorphisms: implications for human brain dynamics and cognition. Int. J Psychophys 53:75-90.

Nurnberger JI Jr, Wiegand R, Bucholz K, O'Connor S, Meyer ET, Reich T, Rice J, Schuckit M, King L, Petti T, Bierut L, Hinrichs AL, Kuperman S, Hesselbrock V, Porjesz B (2004) A family study of alcohol dependence: coaggregation of multiple disorders in relatives of alcohol-dependent probands. Arch Gen Psychiatry 61(12):1246-56.

Rangaswamy M, Porjesz B, Chorlian DB, Choi K, Jones KA, Wang K, Rohrbaugh J, O'Connor S, Kuperman S, Reich T, Begleiter H (2003)Theta power in the EEG of alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 27:607-615.