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Paul M. Cinciripini, Ph.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor/Deputy Chair; Director of Tobacco Treatment Program, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Research Interests

Paul M. Cinciripini, Ph.D. is Professor and Deputy Chair of the Department of Behavioral Science, and Director of the Tobacco Treatment Program, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has over 25 years experience conducting basic and clinical research in the area of smoking cessation and nicotine psychopharmacology.   Dr Cinciripini has been the recipient of several NIH, extramural and industry sponsored research grants and is the author of over 90 articles and book chapters. Dr. Cinciripini’s major research have include studies of nicotine titration and compensation, psychophysiological effects of nicotine during stress, individual differences in the effects of nicotine on EEG and cardiovascular activity, genetic factors treatment outcome, pharmacogenetic effects of antidepressants during smoking cessation, and recent studies using startle probe and EEG/ERP methodology to examine the relations between genetics, emotional reactivity, nicotine exposure and nicotine withdrawal. He has also studied the effects of depression, coping behavior and self-efficacy as well as genetic factors related to nicotine dependence and tested novel behavioral and pharmacological approaches for treatment. Examples of his work in this later area include: the development of a “scheduled smoking” procedure and a recent application of this technology for delivery on a handheld computer; development of a smoking cessation video series for pregnant smokers; evaluating combination therapies using nicotine replacement, behavioral counseling, and other approaches; and testing novel pharmacological compounds, including anxiolytics, antidepressants, nicotine partial agonists, and cannabinoid antagonists. He is presently the PI on three NIH funded clinical trials, including, “A Mood Management Intervention for Pregnant Smokers”, which evaluates a smoking cessation program for pregnant smokers based on a behavioral treatment for depression; “Pharmacogenetics, Emotional Reactivity and Smoking”; which designed to assess the effects of bupropion, varenicline and placebo on changes in emotional reactivity during cessation, as measured by the human startle response, EEG asymmetry and dense electrode recording of event related potentials (ERP), and to determine if these effects are moderated by genotype. He has also been awarded a competitive supplement to this grant to evaluate the pharmacogenetic response to emotional stimuli during cessation, using fMRI. The third project is a clinical trial evaluating the combined effects of Bupropion and Varenicline for smoking cessation. This study tests the hypothesis that the combined treatment will produce better cessation rates than the monotherapy (Varenicline alone) and will also result in lower levels of nicotine withdrawal and psychiatric side effects.

 

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1978 Auburn University, Auburn, AL, PHD, Cum Laude, Clinical Psychology
1976 Auburn University, Auburn, AL, MS, Clinical Psychology
1974 Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, BS, Psychology

Postgraduate Training

1977-1978 Clinical Residency, Clinical Psychology, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Board Certifications

1996 American Psychological Association Division 38
1993 American Board of Professional Psychology
1989 American Board of Behavioral Psychology
1983 Texas State Board of Examiners in Psychology

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Karam-Hage M, Kairav S, Cinciripini PM. Adding Bupropion-SR to Vareniciline helps with depression and suicidal ideation. The Primary Care Companion. In Press.
2. Irvin Vidrine JE, Businelle MS, Cinciripini PM, Li Y, Marcus MM, Waters AJ, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW. Associations of Mindfulness with Nicotine Dependence, Withdrawal, and Agency. Substance Abuse. In Press.
3. Versace F, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Brown VL, Carrter BL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Cigarette cues capture smokers’ attention: Evidence from event-related potentials. Psychophysiology. In Press.
4. LaConte SM, King-Casas B, Eagleman DM, Cinciripini PM, Versace F, Chiu PH. Modulating real-time fMRI neurofeedback interfaces via craving and control in chronic smokers. Human Brain Mapping. In Press.
5. Carter BL, Paris M, Lam C, Waters A, Robinson J, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Real-Time Craving Differences Between Black and White Smokers. The American Journal on Addictions. In Press.
6. Zevallos JP, Mallen MJ, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Wetter DW, Garden AS, Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM.. Complications of Radiotherapy in Laryngopharyngeal Cancer: Effects of a Prospective Smoking Cessation Program. Cancer, 6/30/2009. e-Pub 6/30/2009. PMID: 19569250.
7. Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Costello TJ, Cofta-Woerpel L, Li Y, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Ahluwalia JS, Wetter DW. Light versus heavy smoking among African American men and women. Addict Behav 34(2):197-203, 2/2009. e-Pub 10/2008. PMCID: PMC2614080.
8. Lam CY, Robinson JD, Carter BL, Wetter DW, Minnix JA, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine differentially inhibits the acoustic startle reflex in African American and Caucasian American smokers. Addict Behav 33(12):1521-8, 12/2008. e-Pub 7/23/2008. PMCID: PMC2612003.
9. Kendzor DE, Costello TJ, Li Y, Vidrine JI, Mazas CA, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Businelle MS, Wetter DW. Race/Ethnicity and Multiple Cancer Risk Factors among Individuals Seeking Smoking Cessation Treatment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17(11):2937-45, 11/2008. PMID: 18990734.
10. Kendzor DE, Cofta-Woerpel LM, Mazas CA, Li Y, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Costello TJ, Businelle MS, Ahluwalia JS, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Socioeconomic status, negative affect, and modifiable cancer risk factors in African-American smokers. American J Pub Health 17(10):2546-54, 10/2008. PMCID: PMC2602870.
11. Prokhorov AV, Kelder SH, Shegog R, Murray N, Peters R, Agurcia-Parker C, Cinciripini PM, de Moor C, Conroy JL, Hudmon KS, Ford KH, Marani S.. Impact of A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience (ASPIRE), an interactive, multimedia smoking prevention and cessation curriculum for culturally diverse high-school students. Nicotine Tob Res 10(9):1477-1485, 9/2008. PMID: 19023839.
12. Carter BL, Lam CY, Robinson JD, Paris MM, Waters AJ, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Real-time craving and mood assessments before and after smoking. Nicotine Tob Res 10(7):1165-1169, 7/2008. PMID: 18629726.
13. Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer LS, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine withdrawal in smokers with current depressive disorders undergoing intensive smoking cessation treatment. Psychol Addict Behav 22(1):122-128, 3/2008. PMID: 18298238.
14. Blalock J, Fouladi R, Cinciripini P, Markowitz J, Klein D, Rothbaum B, Arnow B, Manber R, Riso L, Sui D, McCullough J, Jr. Cognitive and behavioral mediators of combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy of chronic depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research 32:197-211, 2008.
15. Waters AJ, Carter BL, Robinson JD, Wetter DW, Lam CY, Cinciripini PM. Implicit attitudes to smoking are associated with craving and dependence. Drug Alcohol Depend 91(2-3):178-86, 12/2007. PMID: 17658701.
16. Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM. Trends in head and neck cancer incidence in relation to smoking prevalence: an emerging epidemic of human papillomavirus-associated cancers? Cancer 110(7):1429-35, 10/2007. PMID: 17724670.
17. Rowan PJ, Cofta-Woerpel L, Mazas CA, Vidrine JI, Reitzel LR, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. Evaluating reactivity to ecological momentary assessment during smoking cessation. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 15/4(4):382-389, 8/2007. PMID: 17696685.
18. Robinson JD, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Wetter DW, Tomlinson GE, Minna JD, Chen TT, Cinciripini PM. The DRD2 TaqI-B polymorphism and its relationship to smoking abstinence and withdrawal symptoms. Pharmacogenomics J 7/4(4):266-274, 8/2007. PMID: 17189962.
19. Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM, Tiffany ST, Carter BL, Lam CY, Wetter DW. Gender differences in affective response to acute nicotine administration and deprivation. Addict Behav 32(3):543-61, 3/2007. PMID: 16842931.
20. Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM, Carter BL, Lam CY, Wetter DW. Facial EMG as an index of affective response to nicotine. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 15(4):390-399, 2007. PMID: 17696686.
21. Lam CY, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM. A brief review of pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer 4:583-9, 7/2006. PMID: 16813725.
22. Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Relationship of DSM-IV-based depressive disorders to smoking cessation and smoking reduction in pregnant smokers. Am J Addict 15(4):268-77, Jul-Aug, 7/2006. PMID: 16867921.
23. Carter BL, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Wetter DW, Tsan JY, Day SX, Cinciripini PM. A psychometric evaluation of cigarette stimuli used in a cue reactivity study. Nicotine and Tobacco Research 8:361-9, 6/2006. PMID: 16801294.
24. Mazas CA, Cofta-Woerpel L, Daza P, Fouladi RT, Vidrine JI, Cinciripini PM, Gritz ER, Wetter DW. At-risk drinking in employed men and women. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 31:279-87, 6/2006. PMID: 16700642.
25. Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD, Carter BL, Lam C, Wu X, de Moor CA, Baile WF, Wetter DW. The effects of smoking deprivation and nicotine administration on emotional reactivity. Nicotine and Tobacco Research 8(3):379-92, 6/2006. PMID: 16801296.
26. Daza P, Cofta-Gunn L, Mazas C, Fouladi R, Cinciripini P, Gritz E, Wetter D. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Predictors of Smoking Cessation. Substance Use and Misuse 41:317-39, 2006.
27. Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM. The effects of stress and smoking on catecholaminergic and cardiovascular response. Behavioral Medicine 32:13-8, 2006. PMID: 16637258.
28. Mallen M, Blalock J, Cinciripini P. Using technology to serve patients and practitioners: A comprehensive tobacco-cessation program for cancer patients. Counseling and Psychotherapy Research 6(3):196-201, 2006.
29. Cinciripini P, Tsoh J, Wetter D, de Moor C, Cinciripini L, Anderson C, Baile W, Minna J. Combined effects of venlafaxine, nicotine replacement & brief counseling on smoking cessation. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 13:282-292, 2005.
30. Mazas C, Cofta-Woerpel L, Costello T, Li Y, Vidrine JI, Reitzel L, Ahluwalia JS, Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW. A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Palmtop Computer-Delivered Treatment for Smoking Cessation Among African American Smokers. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Submitted.

Invited Articles
1. Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini P. Current Pharmacotherapy for Tobacco Cessation: Nicotine Agonists, Antagonists, and Partial Agonists. Current Oncology Reports 9(6):509-516, 11/2007.
2. 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.
3. Fingeret, M, Gritz E, Cinciripini P. State-of-the-Art Treatment for Smoking in Cancer Patients. The Texas Psychologist 58(1):18-20, 2007.

Abstracts
1. Vidrine JI, Businelle MS, Cinciripini PM, Li Y, Marcus M, Waters AJ, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW. Association of Mindfulness with Dependence, Withdrawal, and Agency Among Adult Smokers Preparing to Quit. 2009 Joint Conference of SRNT and SRNT-Europe, 4/2009.
2. 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. ISPOR 11th Annual European Conference; Athens, Greece, 11/2008.
3. Versace F, Robinson JD, Minnix JA, Lam CY, Carter BL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Startle Probe P3 Amplitude When Viewing Cigarette Cues. 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research; Austin, TX., 10/2008.
4. Versace F, Robinson JD, Minnix JA, Lam CY, Carter BL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Startle Probe P3 Amplitude When Viewing Cigarette Cues. 10th Annual Conference of SRNT Europe; Rome, Italy., 9/2008.
5. 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.
6. 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. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR, 2/2008.
7. 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.
8. Carter BL, Lam CY, Robinson, JD, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Smoking cue responses decay after two weeks of abstinence. 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, 1/2008.
10. Heater ML, Karam M, Mallen M, Evans M, Blalock J, Cinciripini P. Development of a clinical treatment pathway for a unique tobacco cessation program within a comprehensive cancer center. Oncology Nursing Society 2007 APN Conference, Chicago, IL, 11/2007.
11. Waters A, Carter B, Robinson J, Lam C, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Attention To Smoking Cues Is Associated with Incentive-Related Physiological and Subjective Measures. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco - Europe, Madrid, Spain, 10/2007.
12. Nayak N, Blalock J, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Predictors of attendance and compliance in pregnant smokers seeking cessation treatment. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Philadelphia, PA, 2007.
13. Paris M, Carter B, Waters A, Lam C, Robinson J, Cinciripini P. Real-Time Craving Differences Between African American and Caucasian Smokers. American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA, 2007.
14. Minnix J, Blalock J, Marani S, Prokhorov A, Cinciripini P. Self-efficacy Mediates the Effect of Depression on Smoking Susceptibility in Adolescents. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Austin, TX, 2007.
15. Mallen M, Devine D, Blalock J, Smith T, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Treatment for Cancer Patients: The Challenge of Implementing the Clinical Practice Guideline. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
16. Cinciripini P, Lam C, Blalock J, Robinson J, Wetter D, Baile W. Does Scheduled Reduced Smoking Have a Place Among Smoking Cessation Treatments. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
17. Wetter D, Cinciripini P. Palmtop Computer-Delivered Treatments for Smoking Cessation. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
18. Cinciripini P, Aubin H-J, Dale L, Niaura R, Anthenelli R, the Stratus Group. Pooled analysis of three short-term, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trials with rimonabant 20 mg/d in smoking cessation. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Europe, Kusadasi/Ephesus, Turkey, 2006.
19. Robinson J, Lam C, Minnix J, Wetter D, Cinciripini P. The DRD2 Taq1-B Polymorphism and Its Relationship to Smoking Abstinence. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.

Book Chapters
1. Karam-Hage M. Minnix JA, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine: Clinical Aspects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction. In: Addictive Disorders and Substance Abuse. Springer Publishers: New York, NY. In Press.
2. Carter B, Cinciripini P, Wetter D, Day S. Momentary Health Interventions:Where are We and Where are We Going? In: The Science of Real-Time Data Capture: Self-Reports in Health Research. Ed(s) Stone, A.A., Shiffman, S., Atienza, A.A. & Nebeling, L. (Eds.). Oxford University Press: New York, 289-307, 2007.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Subcontract: Pharmacogenetics of nicotine addiction treatment.
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Lerman, Caryn
Duration: 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2015
 
Title: Subcontract: Neuroimaging motivated behavior in nicotine dependence and major depression.
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2014
 
Title: Cortical Reactivity To Second-Order Conditioned Stimuli In Smokers
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Versace, Francesco
Duration: 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2013
 
Title: Error Sensitivity as a Predictor of Nicotine Withdrawal & Smoking Cessation
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 12/1/2009 - 11/30/2012
 
Title: Effectiveness of Varenicline plus Bupropion for Smoking Cessation
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2009 - 6/30/2013
 
Title: Using ecological momentary assessment to examine pain and smoking in head and neck cancer patients
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Mentor
Principal Investigator: Lam
Duration: 4/30/2009 - 3/31/2011
 
Title: Subcontract to: Computational Substrates of Addiction and Reward
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Montague, P Read
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2014
 
Title: Combating Tobacco in the United States Army
Funding Source: Department of Defense (DOD)
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Prokhorov
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2013
 
Title: Suppression of Negative Affect Indexed by the Late Positive Potential in Smokers
Funding Source: NIH
Role: Mentor
Principal Investigator: Minnix, Jennifer
Duration: 3/1/2009 - 2/28/2014
 
Title: Ecological Momentary Assessment, Peak-end Rule, and Smoking Relapse.
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Mentor
Principal Investigator: Lam, Cho
Duration: 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2014
 
Title: Intensive smoking cessation intervention for head and neck cancer patients. (Supplement to Parent Grant, 1R01 DA020056-10
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Blalcok
Duration: 12/1/2008 - 11/30/2011
 
Title: Subcontract to: Localized and distributed real-time fMRI approaches to facilitate self control in substance abusers
Funding Source: Baylor College of Medicine
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Chiu. Pearl
Duration: 9/1/2008 - 8/31/2013
 
Title: The Effects of Smoking and Expectancy on ERP measures of attentional bias
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Mentor
Principal Investigator: Robinson
Duration: 8/1/2008 - 7/31/2012
 
Title: Relationship of emotional reactivity to abstinence outcomes in smokers with current chronic depressive disorders,
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Blalock
Duration: 8/1/2008 - 7/31/2009
 
Title: Neighborhood- and Individual-Level Determinants of Smoking Cessation Among Hispanics
Funding Source: NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: David Wetter, Ph.D.
Duration: 7/1/2007 - 6/30/2012
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics, emotional reactivity and smoking cessation: Genetic differences in limbic activation associated with nicotine withdrawal
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 10/1/2005 - 9/30/2010
 
Title: Sub-Contract to: Cognitive processes in smoking cessation
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Waters
Duration: 9/30/2005 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: Group Therapy for Nicotine Dependence
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Wetter D
Duration: 9/30/2004 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics, emotional reactivity and smoking
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/15/2004 - 4/30/2010
 
Title: A Mood management intervention for pregnant smokers
Funding Source: NIDA
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 8/1/2003 - 7/31/2010
 
Title: Curbing tobacco use in rural and suburban schools
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Prokhorov
Duration: 7/9/2000 - 6/30/2011

Last updated: 9/23/2009