Gerardo Gonzalez, MD

Gerardo Gonzalez, MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry UMass Chan Medical School, Director of Addiction Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Director of Addiction & Comorbidity Treatment Service (ACTS) and Director of the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship program at the UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center. His research has focused on the neurobiology and pharmacotherapy of cocaine and opioid dependence. Specifically, his studies have evaluated the extent that enhancing GABA neurotransmission may have in modifying cocaine and opiate taking behavior. In addition, his current project is evaluating whether modulation of glutamate neurotransmission by NMDA receptor antagonist during opioid agonist treatment may improve treatment outcomes and reduce early relapse in young adults with opiate dependence. Future directions include evaluating further the effect of treatment with levetiracetam (Keppra) on cocaine taking behavior, and investigating in collaboration with Dr. DiGirolamo, conscious and unconscious control in people with opiate addiction and how medication may improve this control.