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Maher A. Karam-Hage, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Clinical Medical Director, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Associate Professor (Joint Appointment), Department of Psychiatry, OVP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Adjunct, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

 

My interest in addiction is focused on the specific areas of alcohol, tobacco and comorbid disorders. In the last 12 years (after finishing training), I have designed, got funded and carried over my own study on bupropion for alcoholic smokers. In last 10 years I have collaborated on more than 20 clinical trials as co-investigator and study physician. That is in the area of psychopharmacology of addiction on tobacco and/or alcohol. I have a keen interest in medical education and have designed and carried over several studies on how to enhance medical education on addictions. I have mentored several trainees from different professional backgrounds throughout the years in different capacities. I am a practicing addiction psychiatrist continuing to build my clinical experience and deriving professional satisfaction from seeing people get better and helping them recover from addiction. In addition, I find clinical practice to be a unique and fertile ground to generate interesting and relevant clinical research questions to be put into future investigation: It is the ultimate venue for true translational research.

The relationship of alcohol and sleep disturbances propelled me to look for an agent that can help alcoholics with their sleep difficulties (with no addictive potential), hence my published work with gabapentin. The need for augmentation of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in some patients who made progress while on Chantix or bupropion, prompted me to add one agent on to the other, in my clinical practice. Currently I am collaborating with Paul Cinciripini, PhD on a NIDA funded grant combining the two medications for smoking cessation. Finally, the need for some patients taking Chantix for an extra help when they are down to the last 3-4 cigarettes/day, prompted me to increase their dose beyond the usual 2 mgs/day, resulting in a good response for about a 1/3 of them without additional side effects. We are in the process of disseminating the latter information; albeit, further validation by a randomized trial is needed.

Research Interests

Psychopharmacology of addictive disorders in particular nicotine and tobacco dependence

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1155 Pressler St
Unit Number: 1330
Houston, TX 77030

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1993 Facultad de Medicina at Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM), Guatemala City, Guatemala, MD, Medico y Cirujano (Doctor and Surgeon)
1989 Facultad de Medicina at Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM), Guatemala City, Guatemala, BS, Bachalareus Sciencia

Postgraduate Training

8/1999-8/2000 Research Fellowship, Clinical Psychopharmacology, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Ann Arbor, MI, Mentors Kirk Brower, MD and John Greden, MD
7/1998-7/1999 Clinical Fellowship, Addiction Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Director Kirk Brower, MD
7/1994-7/1998 Clinical Residency, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Director Michael Jibson, MD

Board Certifications

6/2013 American Society of Addiction Medicine
6/2012 ABPN added qualification in Addiction Psychiatry
2/2010 American Boards of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN)

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 10/2006-9/2008
Assistant Professor (joint appointment), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 10/2006-9/2008
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Substance Abuse, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 8/2000-10/2006

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Director of Medication Development and Testing, Nicotine Research Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 12/2004-10/2006
Medical Director, University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 8/2000-10/2006

Honors and Awards

2012-2013 Faculty Leadership Academy, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
2011 Fellow status of American Psychiatric Association
2004 Junior Investigator Colloquium Award, American Psychiatric Association meeting (New York)
2002 Selected for the Medical Education Scholars Program, University of Michigan Medical School
2000 Junior Investigator Colloquium Award, American Psychiatric Association meeting (Chicago)
1999 Honorable mention & travel award addiction research, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) annual meeting

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
Member, 1998-present
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Member, 1994-present
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
Member, 2001-present
American-Lebanese Medical Association (ALMA)
Member, 1996-present
Harris County Medical Society, Houston, TX
Member, 11/2007-present
Houston Psychiatric Association, Houston, TX
Member, 2007-present
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT)
Member, 1999-present
Texas Medical Society, Houston, TX
Member, 11/2007-present
Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, TX
Member, 2007-present
The College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Philadelphia, PA
Member, 2012-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Karam-Hage M. Bupropion-SR for smoking reduction and cessation in Alcohol-dependent outpatients: A naturalistic, open-label study. Bentham Science Publishers - Current Clinical Pharmacology. In Press.
2. Paul M. Cinciripini, Ph.D. Jason D. Robinson, Ph.D. Maher Karam-Hage, M.D. Jennifer A. Minnix,Ph.D. Cho Lam, Ph.D. Francesco Versace, Ph.D. Victoria L. Brown, Ph.D. Jeffrey M. Engelmann, Ph.D. And David W. Wetter, Ph.D. The Effects of Varenicline and Bupropion-SR plus Intensive Counseling on Prolonged Abstinence from Smoking, Depression, Negative Affect and Other Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal. Archives of General Psychiatry. In Press.
3. Karam-Hage M. Web-streamed didactic instruction on substance use disorders compares favorably with live lecture format. Academic Psychiatry. In Press.
4. Yong C, Versace F, Englemann JM, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Lam C, Karam-Hage M, Brown V, Wetter DW, Dani JA, Kosten T.R., Cinciripini PM. Alpha oscillations in response to affective and cigarrette-related stimuli in smokers. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 10/2012.
5. Cui Y, Robinson JD, Versace F, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Wetter DW, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. Differential cigarette-related startle cue reactivity among light, moderate, and heavy smokers. Addict Behav 37(8):885-889, 8/2012. e-Pub 2/2012. PMCID: PMC3358408.
6. Rennard S, Hughes J, Cinciripini P, Kralikova E, Raupach T, Arteaga C, Aubin L, Russ C, for the Flexible Quit Date Study Group. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of varenicline for smoking cessation allowing flexible quit dates. Nicotine & tobacco Research 14(3):343-350, 3/2012. PMCID: PMC3281242.
7. Karam-Hage M, Strobbe S, Robinson JD, Brower KJ. Bupropion-SR for Smoking Cessation in Early Recovery from Alcohol Dependence: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 37(37):487-90, 11/2011. e-Pub 7/2011. PMID: 21797811.
8. Blalock JA, Lam C, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Gritz ER, Robinson JD and Cinciripini PM.. The Effect of Mood, Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorders on Smoking Cessation in Cancer Patients. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 25(1):82-96, 2/2011.
9. Cinciripini PM, Blalock JA, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Brown VL, Lam C, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer L, McCullough JP, Dolan-Mullen P, Stotts AL, Karam-Hage M. Effects of an intensive depression-focused intervention for smoking cessation in pregnancy. J Consult Clin Psychol 78(1):44-54, 2/2010. PMCID: PMC2881321.
10. Zevallos JP, Mallen MJ, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Blalock J, Wetter DW, Garden AS, Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM. Complications of Radiotherapy in Laryngopharyngeal Cancer: Effects of a Prospective Smoking Cessation Program. Cancer 3(1):4636-44, 10/2009. e-Pub 6/2009. PMID: 19569250.
11. Renner JA, Karam-Hage M, Levinson M, Craig T, Eld B. What do psychiatric residents think of addiction psychiatry as a career? Acad Psychiatry 33(2):139-42, Mar-Apr, 3/2009. PMID: 19398628.
12. Brower KJ, Myra Kim H, Strobbe S, Karam-Hage MA, Consens F, Zucker RA. A Randomized Double-Blind Pilot Trial of Gabapentin Versus Placebo to Treat Alcohol Dependence and Comorbid Insomnia. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 32(8):1429-38, 8/2008. e-Pub 6/2008. PMCID: PMC2927959.
13. Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM. Pharmacotherapy for tobacco cessation: nicotine agonists, antagonists, and partial agonists. Curr Oncol Rep 9(6):509-16, 11/2007. PMID: 17991361.
14. Spector A, Alpert H, Karam-Hage M. Smoking cessation delivered by medical students is helpful to homeless population. Acad Psychiatry 31(5):402-405, Sep-Oct, 9/2007. PMID: 17875625.
15. Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Pomerleau OF, Brower KJ. Unaided Smoking Cessation Among Smokers In Treatment For Alcohol Dependence. Addict Behav 30(6):1247-1253, 7/2005. e-Pub 1/2005. PMID: 15925134.
16. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Open pilot study of gabapentin versus trazodone to treat insomnia in alcoholic outpatients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 57(5):542-4, 10/2003. PMCID: PMC2967491.
17. Karam-Hage M, Riba MB, Huang MP. Are Our Patients' Using The Internet? German Journal of Psychiatry 4:24-28, 2001.
18. Karam-Hage M, Nerenberg L, Brower KJ. Modifying Residents' Professional Attitudes About Substance Abuse Treatment And Training. Am J Addict 10(1)(1):40-47, 2001. PMID: 11268827.
19. Karam-Hage M. Restriction of Sodium compared with restitution to premature newborns of very low birth weight. Guatemala Pediatrica 3(1):21-27, 1994.
20. Robinson J, Versace F, Lam C, Minnix J, Engelmann J, Cui Y, Karam-Hage M,Tomlinson G, Chen T, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Genes modulating dopamine release and dopamine gene expression are associated with reward system deficits in smokers. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Submitted.
21. Karam-Hage M, Ghorayeb Jihane, Cinciripini, Paul. Review of Mentholated Cigarettes: Health effects, controversies, and the possibility of an FDA ban. Bentham Science Publishers - Current Drug Abuse Reviews. Submitted.

Abstracts
1. Karam-Hage Maher, Blalock Janice, Cinciripini Paul. A Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Treatment for Cancer patients: 12-month Follow-up Abstinence Rates. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco SRNT Abstracts - 2011 SRNT 17th Annual Meeting:78 (#POS2-45), 2/2011.
2. Rabius Vance, Cinciripini Paul, Karam-Hage Maher, Blalock Jan, Lam Cho. Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Assistance for Cancer Patients. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco SRNT Abstracts - 2011 SRNT 17th Annual Meeting:165 (#POS5-114), 2/2011.
3. Karam-Hage M, Lam C, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. Increasing Varenicline to 3 mgs/day Improves Abstinence Rates: A Preliminary Efficacy Report In Cancer Patients. Proceedings of SRNT Annual meeting, Baltimore, MD, 2010, 2/2010.
4. Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Brown RA, McCullough JP. Nicotine Withdrawal in Chronically Depressed Smokers Undergonig Intensive Smoking Cessation Treatment. 14th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health Conference, Mumbai, India, 3/12/09, 3/2009.
5. Miller LA, Karam-Hage M, Lal LS, Mallen M, Feng C, Blalock J, Cinciripini PM. Economic Evaluation of a Tobacco Cessation Program at a Major Cancer Center. 11th Annual European Congress, 11/2008.
6. Mallen MJ, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. A Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Treatment for Cancer Patients: Preliminary Outcome Findings. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco; Portland, OR, 2/2008.
7. Karam-Hage M, Mallen MJ, Heater ML, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. Does Combining Bupropion-SR and Varenicline Make a Difference? A Preliminary Efficacy Report in Cancer Patients. 4th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR,, 2/2008.
8. Blalock JA, Karam-Hage M, Mallen MJ, Cinciripini PM. Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Cancer Patients Receiving Tobacco-Cessation Treatment. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR, 2/2008.
9. Mallen MJ, Zevallos JP. Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Wetter DW, Garden AS, Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM. Smoking and Recurrent Disease in a Head and Neck Cancer Population Receiving Radiotherapy. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR,, 2/2008.
10. Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Effects of smoking cues on craving for alcohol and cigarettes in drinkers who smoke. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Austin, TX.:42, 2007.
11. Karam-Hage M, Mullan P, Brower K, Gruppen L. Acquired Knowledge of Addiction Among Psychiatry Residents by Repeat Testing. Proceedings of American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) 17th Annual Meeting:39, 2006.
12. Ninowski R, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Mehringer AM, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau OF. Characteristics of early and late onset smokers. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
13. Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Impact of DSM-IV lifetime alcohol use disorders, depression and the two combined on smoking-related variables. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
14. Karam-Hage M, Mullan PB, Spector A, Alpert H. Medical Students Conduct Smoking Cessation Counseling. Journal of Cancer Education 21(2)suppl:24, 2006.
15. Pomerleau CS, Langenecker SA, Karam-Hage M, Snedecor SM. Psychiatric patients at intake: Tobacco use profile and interest in quitting smoking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
16. Adams K, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Sex specific differences between smokers with and without DSM-IV alcohol abuse. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
17. Ninowski R, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Mehringer AM, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau OF. Differences in response to initial experimentation with smoking in neversmokers based on family history of smoking and problem drinking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Prague, Czech Republic, 2005.
18. Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Differential Impact of DSM-IV Alcohol Abuse and Dependence On Smoking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Prague, Czech Republic. 2005.
19. Pomerleau CS, Pomerleau OF, Snedecor SM, Karam-Hage M. Differences between smokers with and without a history of excessive alcohol use. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Scottsdale, AZ. 2004.
20. Karam-Hage M, Cynthia S. Pomerleau, Ovide F. Pomerleau, Kirk J. Brower:. Unaided smoking cessation at six-month follow-up in smokers in treatment for alcohol dependence. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Scottsdale, AZ, 2004.
21. Brower KJ, Kim HM, Karam-Hage M, Zucker RA, Greden JF. A double-blind randomized clinical trial of gabapentin vs. placebo for treating alcohol dependence. Biol Psychiatry 53(8S):84S-85S, 2003.
22. Karam-Hage M, Gruppen L, Frohna A, Closer M, and Brower KJ. Evaluating Acquired Knowledge of Addiction Among Psychiatry Residents by Repeat Testing. Proceedings of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, New Orleans, LA. 2003.
23. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion for Smoking Cessation/Reduction Among Alcoholics During Early Recovery: Open trial. Proceedings of Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Annual Meeting Savannah, GA. February 2002 PO2-59:63, 2/2002.
24. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion Treatment For Smoking Alcoholics and expired CO. Alcoholism Clin Exp Res 25;(Suppl) 5:97A, 2001.
25. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion Tx for Smoking Cessation Alcoholics During Early Recovery. Proceedings of Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) PO3 70:84, 2001.
26. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ, Zucker RA, and Zubieta JC. Mu Opioid Receptor Binding In Alcohol Dependent Volunteers In Early Recovery: Clinical Correlates. Proceedings of American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). Kona, Hawaii, 2001, 2001.

Book Chapters
1. Maher Karam, MD and Paul Cinciripini, PhD. Nicotine and Tobacco. In: Anderson Associates Monograph on Survivorship. UT, MD Anderson Cancer Center: Houston, Texas. In Press.
2. Maher Karam-Hage, MD, Vance Rabius, PhD, Paul M. Cinciripini, PhD, Jason Robinson, PhD, Ellen Gritz, PhD. Nicotine Dependence: Current Treatments and Future Directions. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. Elsvier: Philadelphia. In Press.
3. Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine: Clinical Aspects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction. In: Addiction medicine: science and practice. Ed(s) Johnson BA. Springer Publishing: New York, NY, 417-443, 2010.

Letters to the Editor
1. Karam-Hage M, Kairav S, Cinciripini PM. Adding Bupropion-SR to Vareniciline helps with depression and suicidal ideation. Primary Care Companion, J Clin Psychiatry 12(2):e1, 2010.
2. Karam-Hage M, Ghaziuddin N. Olanzapine In Tourette's Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39(2)(2):139, 2/2000. PMID: 10673819.
3. Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Gabapentin Treatment For Insomnia Associated With Alcohol Dependence. Am J Psychiatry 157(1)(1):151, 1/2000. PMID: 10618048.
 

Other
1. Thesis. Medical school Graduation: Karam-Hage M: Restriction of Sodium Compared with Restitution to Premature Newborns of Very Low Birth Weight: a Prospective Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study. Universidad Francisco Marroquin Press (1993)..

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Interation of evidence-based tobacco treatments into primary care clinics
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Cofta-Woerpel, Ludmila
Duration: 7/1/2013 - 6/30/2016
 
Title: Identifying topiramate's therapeutic mechanisms through motivational salience
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Jason Robinson, PhD
Duration: 9/1/2012 - 8/31/2017
 
Title: Evaluating new Nicotine standards for cigarettes - Project 2
Funding Source: University of Pittsburgh
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Cinciripini, PM
Duration: 7/1/2012 - 6/30/2015
 
Title: Evaluating New Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes-Project 1
Funding Source: University of Pittsburgh
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Cinciripini, PM
Duration: 3/1/2012 - 2/28/2013
 
Title: A Phase 4, Randomized Double Blind, Active and Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study Evaluating the Neuropsychiatric Safety and Efficacy of 12 Weeks Varenicline tartrate 1 mg BID and Bupropion Hydrochloride 150 mg BID for Smoking Cessation in Subjects With and Without A History of Psychiatric Disorders.
Funding Source: Pfizer
Role: Co-Investigator
Duration: 10/24/2011 - 10/31/2014
 
Title: New pharmacotherapy for alcohol and co-morbid disorders
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Alt-Daoud
Duration: 9/1/2010 - 8/31/2015
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics of nicotine addiction treatment.
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Lerman
Duration: 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2015
 
Title: Intensive Smoking Cessation Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Janice Blalock
Duration: 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2013
 
Title: Project 3 Leader: Concurrent vs. sequential smoking and physical activity intervention for cancer survivors
Funding Source: MDACC -MRP
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Janice Blalock
Duration: 5/1/2009 - 4/30/2012
 
Title: Effectiveness of Varenicline vs. Varenicline plus Buproprion for Smoking Cessation
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Paul Cinciripini
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 12/31/2014
 
Title: Smoking Cessation Intervention for Depressed Smokers: Treatment Development
Funding Source: NIMH
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Janice A. Blalock
Duration: 9/12/2006 - 7/31/2011
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics, Emotional Reactivity and Smoking Cessation: Genetic Differences in Limbic Activation Associated with Nicotine Withdrawal
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Paul M. Cinciripini
Duration: 10/1/2005 - 4/30/2012
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics, Emotional Reactivity and Smoking
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Paul M. Cinciripini
Duration: 7/15/2004 - 4/30/2012
 
Title: A Mood Management Intervention for Pregnant Smokers
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Paul M. Cinciripini
Duration: 8/1/2003 - 4/30/2011
 
Title: Enhanced Smoking Cessation Program for University Students
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Collaborator
Principal Investigator: Alex Prokhorov
Duration: 2/5/1999 - 2/28/2013

Last updated: 3/7/2013