Robert Anthenelli

Title(s)Professor, Psychiatry
SchoolVc-health Sciences-schools
Address9500 Gilman Drive #
La Jolla CA 92093
ORCID ORCID Icon0000000266121126 Additional info
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    Biography

    Dr. Anthenelli is a Professor and the former Interim Chair, Executive Vice Chair, and Vice Chair for Veterans Affairs, respectively, in the UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry where he directs the Pacific Treatment and Research Center (Pac-TARC).

    He earned his baccalaureate degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, and his psychiatry residency training at UCSD and the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Additional post-doctoral training included a two-year fellowship in addiction psychiatry research that was funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    He was formerly a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine where he founded and directed the Center for Treatment, Research & Education in Addictive Disorders and the Addiction Sciences Division. He also directed the Substance Dependence Program at the Cincinnati VA which was awarded the Department of Veterans Affairs, Under Secretary for Health’s Award as a Clinical Program of Excellence in Substance Abuse and was selected as a National Tobacco Cessation Clinical Resource Center.

    Dr. Anthenelli was the recipient of a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and he has been selected among the Best Doctors and Top Psychiatrists in America. He is an Associate Editor of Current Psychiatry, and serves on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Addiction Medicine and Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

    Research Interests

    The overarching theme of Dr. Anthenelli’s research is to develop improved treatments for tobacco, alcohol and stimulant dependence by better understanding the neurobiology of the disorders. He is the author or co-author of over 240 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and published abstracts. Support for his research is provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, University of California Office of the President’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, and various industry sponsors.

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    Clinical development of an mGlu2 positive allosteric modulator to treat nicotine addiction
    NIH U01DA051077Aug 15, 2020 - Jul 31, 2023
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Exploring Potential Sex Differences In Neurobiological Mechanisms of Alcohol Sensitivity and Tolerance
    NIH R21AA027634Mar 1, 2020 - Feb 28, 2022
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Wearable Biosensors for Real-time Blood Alcohol Monitoring
    NIH R44AA024643Sep 10, 2015 - Aug 31, 2019
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    New Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol and Co-morbid Disorders
    NIH R01AA019720Sep 10, 2010 - Aug 31, 2016
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Predicting Alcoholics' Treatment Responses to an SSRI
    NIH R01AA013957May 1, 2004 - Apr 30, 2010
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Alcohol and Gender Effects on Stress Circuit Function
    NIH R01AA013307Sep 1, 2003 - Aug 31, 2009
    Role: Principal Investigator
    SCIENTIFIC REVIEW AND EVALUATION AWARD
    NIH U09AA012364Jan 1, 1999 - Sep 30, 2005
    Role: Principal Investigator
    CLINICALLY RELEVANT MARKERS OF ALCOHOLIC SUBGROUPS
    NIH R29AA009735Jul 1, 1993 - Jun 30, 1999
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse ORNG Applications 
    Collapse Clinical Trials
    Collapse Featured Publications

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Varenicline: novel agent to help smokers quit. Current Psychiatry. 2025; 1(6):91-96. Anthenelli RM.
    2. Improvement of physical health and quality of life of alcohol-dependent individuals with topiramate treatment. US multi-site randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med. 2025; 11(168):1188-1199. Johnson BA, Rosenthal N, Capece JA, Wiegand F, Mao L, Beyers K, McKay A, Ait Daoud N, (and in alphabetical order) Addolorato G, Anton RF, Ciraulo DA, Kranzler HR, Mann K, O’Malley SS, Swift RM, for the Topiramate for Alcoholism Advisory Board and the Topiramate for Alcoholism Study Group (Anthenelli RM, member). View Publication.
    3. The Uncomplicated Guide to Diabetes Complications. Smoking and Diabetes. 2025; 383-388. Autry A, Anthenelli RM.
    4. E-cigarettes and vapes: do they work for smoking cessation and should we be recommending their use?. Current Psychiatry. 2017; 5(16):31-39. Gaznick N, Anthenelli RM.
    5. Forget the myths and help your psychiatric patients quit smoking. Current Psychiatry. 2016; 10(15):23-25. Anthenelli RM.
    6. Psychiatric Aspects of Preventive Care: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Providers. Tobacco Dependence. 2015; 95-110. Bekman, NM, Anthenelli RM.
    7. Nicotine-Related Disorders. Gabbard's Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. 2014; 871-884. Anthenelli RM.
    8. Varenicline not linked to depression, anxiety in smokers. Reactions. 2013; (1472):4-5. Anthenelli RM.
    9. Strategies to help patients break the chain`s of tobacco addiction. Current Psychiatry. 2011; 8(10):41-49. Heffner JL, Anthenelli RM.
    10. Lowinson & Ruiz’s Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. Genetic factors in the risk for substance use disorders. 2011; 36-54. Nguyen TA, Heffner JL, Lin SW, Anthenelli RM.
    11. Vaccine for cocaine addiction: A promising new immunotherapy. Current Psychiatry. 2010; (9):16-21. Anthenelli RM, Somoza E.
    12. Smoking cessation during substance abuse treatment: is it mission impossible?. Psychiatric Times. 2010; 9(26). Heffner, JL, Anthenelli RM.
    13. Psychiatric Times. Smoking cessation during substance abuse treatment: Is it mission possible?. 2009; 9(26):26-30. Heffner JL, Anthenelli RM.
    14. Future developments 1: CB1 blockade for weight gain subsequent to smoking cessation. Abdominal Obesity and the Endocannabinoid System: From Basic Aspects to Clinical Management of Related Cardiometabolic Risk. 2009; 247-252. Heffner JL, Anthenelli RM.
    15. The neurobiology and treatment of tobacco dependence. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports. 2008; (2):427-433. Nguyen TA, Anthenelli RM. View Publication.
    16. Antiepileptic Drugs to Treat Psychiatric Disorders. Antiepileptics as potential aids to smoking cessation. 2008; 271-282 . Anthenelli RM, Heffner JL, Johnson CS.
    17. Topiramate for treating alcohol dependence: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007; 14(298):1641-1651. Johnson BA, Rosenthal N, Capece JA, Wiegand F, Mao L, Beyers K, McKay A, Ait-Daoud N, Anton RF, Ciraulo DA, Kranzler HR, Mann K, O’Malley SS, Swift RM; Topiramate for Alcoholism Advisory Board; Topiramate for Alcoholism Study Group (Anthenelli RM, member). View Publication.
    18. Arch Intern Med. Efficacy and safety of the novel selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, varenicline, for smoking cessation. 2006; (166):1571-1577. Oncken C, Gonzales D, Nides M., Rennard S., Watsky E., Billing CB, Anziano R., Reeves K. for the Varenicline Study Group (Anthenelli RM, member). View Publication.
    19. Obesity and Mental Disorders. Obesity and smoking. 2006; 123-144. Heffner JL, Winders-Barrett S and Anthenelli RM.
    20. Medication Treatments for Nicotine Dependence. Cannabinoid antagonists: CB1 receptors as a therapeutic target for nicotine dependence. 2006; 187-198 . Anthenelli RM.
    21. Efficacy and tolerability of long-acting injectable naltrexone for alcohol dependence: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2005; 13(293):1617-1625. Garbutt JC, Kranzler HR, O’Malley SS, Gastfriend DR, Pettinati HM, Silverman BL, Loewy JW, Ehrich EW; Vivitrex Study Group (Anthenelli RM, member). View Publication.
    22. Treating patients with bipolar disorder and COPD or asthma. Supplement to Current Psychiatry. 2005; (4):34-42. Anthenelli RM.
    23. Recent advances in the treatment of tobacco dependence. Clinical Neuroscience Research. 2005; (5):175-183. Anthenelli RM. View Publication.
    24. How – and why – to help psychiatric patients stop smoking. Current Psychiatry. 2005; 1(4):77-87. Anthenelli, RM.
    25. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. Genetic factors in the risk for substance use disorders. 2005; 33-47. Lin SW, Anthenelli RM.
    26. Naltrexone depot for treatment of alcohol dependence: A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2004; 7(28):1051-1059. Kranzler HR, Wesson DR, Billot L for the Drug Abuse Sciences Naltrexone Depot Study Group (Anthenelli RM, member). View Publication.
    27. Getting to the bottom of problem drinking: the case for routine screening. Current Psychiatry. 2003; 6(2):26-44. Allen JP, Anthenelli RM.
    28. An update on alcoholism. Psychiatric Update. 2003; 4(23):1-11. Schuckit MA, Anthenelli RM, Guschwan MT.
    29. Alcoholism and psychiatric disorders: diagnostic challenges. Alcohol Res & Health. 2002; 2(26):90-98. Shivani R, Goldsmith RJ, Anthenelli RM. View Publication.
    30. Neurobiological, Behavioral, and Environmental Relations to Drinking-Stress Hormone Dysregulation at Rest and After Serotonergic Stimulation Among Alcohol-Dependent Men With Extended Abstinence and Control. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research. 2001; 5(25):692-703. Anthenelli RM, Maxwell RA, Geracioti Jr TD, Hauger RL.
    31. Neurobiological, Psychosocial, and Developmental Correlates of Drinking-Cigarette Smoking Decreases the Prolactin Response to Serotonergic Stimulation in Subgroups of Alcoholics and Controls. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research. 2000; 7(24):987-95. Anthenelli RM, Maxwell RA.
    32. Principles of Addiction Medicine. Genetic influences in addiction. 1998; 17-35. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA.
    33. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. Genetics. 1997; 21-51. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA.
    34. Principles and Practice of Addictions in Psychiatry. A basic clinical approach to diagnosis in patients with comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders. 1997; 119-126. Anthenelli RM.
    35. Hypothesized subtypes of alcoholism. Alcohol Research. 1995; 3(19):178. Anthenelli RM, Tabakoff B.
    36. Principles of Addiction Medicine. Genetic influences in addiction. 1994; 1-14. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA.
    37. The initial evaluation of the dual diagnosis patient. Psychiatric Annals. 1994; (24):407-411. Anthenelli RM.
    38. Comparison of the subjective and amnestic effects of diazepam and amobarbital in healthy young men. Am J Addictions. 1993; (2):131-140. Anthenelli RM, Klein JL, Smith TL, Schuckit MA. View Publication.
    39. The International Handbook of Addiction Behavior. Alcohol and cerebral depressants. 1991; 57-62. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA.
    40. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. Genetics. 1991; 39-50. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA.
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