Shawn K. Acheson
Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
In collaboration with Dr. Scott Swartzwelder, research in our lab has focused on the neurodevelopmental effects of alcohol and other drugs of abuse. In particular, we have been interested in how and why adolescents are more sensitive to some effects of ethanol and THC (e.g., learning and memory) and less sensitive to other effects (e.g., sedation). Beginning in Fall 2011, my lab will begin a new line of research focused on potential pharmacotherapies for TBI and the basic underlying mechanisms of recovery of function following acquired brain injury. This work is funded by a Career Development Award from the Veterans Administration Biomedical Laboratory Research & Development service.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2020
- Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers 2012
Contact Information
- PO Box 108, Waynesville, NC 28786
- PO Box 108, Waynesville, NC 28786
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shawn.acheson@duke.edu
(919) 768-2243
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Southern Illinois University 1997
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Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2013 - 2020
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2009 - 2013
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
- Adolescence
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Alcoholic Intoxication
- Binge Drinking
- Brain Injury, Chronic
- Brain--Concussion
- Brain--Wounds and injuries
- Cognition
- Decision Making
- Disease Models, Animal
- Ethanol
- Hippocampus
- Neuronal Plasticity
- Nicotine
- Nicotinic Agonists
- Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Spatial Behavior
- Veterans
- Research
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Selected Grants
- IPA - Shawn Acheson awarded by Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2018
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Straka, B. C., Gaither, S. E., Acheson, S. K., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2020). “Mixed” Drinking Motivations: A Comparison of Majority, Multiracial, and Minority College Students. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 11(5), 676–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550619883294Full Text
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Lei, B., James, M. L., Liu, J., Zhou, G., Venkatraman, T. N., Lascola, C. D., … Wang, H. (2020). Author Correction: Neuroprotective pentapeptide CN-105 improves functional and histological outcomes in a murine model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Sci Rep, 10(1), 6898. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63178-2Full Text Link to Item
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Schepis, T. S., Acheson, S., Zapp, D., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2019). Alcohol use and consequences in matriculating US college students by prescription stimulant/opioid nonmedical misuse status. Addict Behav, 98, 106026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.015Full Text Link to Item
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Swartzwelder, H. S., Park, M.-H., & Acheson, S. (2017). Adolescent Ethanol Exposure Enhances NMDA Receptor-Mediated Currents in Hippocampal Neurons: Reversal by Gabapentin. Sci Rep, 7(1), 13133. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12956-6Full Text Link to Item
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Miller, K. M., Risher, M.-L., Acheson, S. K., Darlow, M., Sexton, H. G., Schramm-Sapyta, N., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2017). Behavioral Inefficiency on a Risky Decision-Making Task in Adulthood after Adolescent Intermittent Ethanol Exposure in Rats. Sci Rep, 7(1), 4680. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04704-7Full Text Link to Item
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Lei, B., James, M. L., Liu, J., Zhou, G., Venkatraman, T. N., Lascola, C. D., … Wang, H. (2017). Erratum: Neuroprotective pentapeptide CN-105 improves functional and histological outcomes in a murine model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Sci Rep, 7, 39580. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep39580Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Sharma, R., Rosenberg, A., Bennett, E. R., Laskowitz, D. T., & Acheson, S. K. (2017). A blood-based biomarker panel to risk-stratify mild traumatic brain injury. Plos One, 12(3), e0173798. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173798Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Lei, B., James, M. L., Liu, J., Zhou, G., Venkatraman, T. N., Lascola, C. D., … Wang, H. (2016). Neuroprotective pentapeptide CN-105 improves functional and histological outcomes in a murine model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Sci Rep, 6, 34834. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34834Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Klein, R. C., Acheson, S. K., Qadri, L. H., Dawson, A. A., Rodriguiz, R. M., Wetsel, W. C., … Dawson, H. N. (2016). Opposing effects of traumatic brain injury on excitatory synaptic function in the lateral amygdala in the absence and presence of preinjury stress. J Neurosci Res, 94(6), 579–589. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.23702Full Text Link to Item
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Risher, M.-L., Fleming, R. L., Risher, W. C., Miller, K. M., Klein, R. C., Wills, T., … Swartzwelder, H. S. (2015). Adolescent intermittent alcohol exposure: persistence of structural and functional hippocampal abnormalities into adulthood. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 39(6), 989–997. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12725Full Text
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Swartzwelder, H. S., Acheson, S. K., Miller, K. M., Sexton, H. G., Liu, W., Crews, F. T., & Risher, M.-L. (2015). Adolescent Intermittent Alcohol Exposure: Deficits in Object Recognition Memory and Forebrain Cholinergic Markers. Plos One, 10(11), e0140042. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140042Full Text Link to Item
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Centanni, S. W., Teppen, T., Risher, M.-L., Fleming, R. L., Moss, J. L., Acheson, S. K., … Swartzwelder, H. S. (2014). Adolescent alcohol exposure alters GABAA receptor subunit expression in adult hippocampus. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 38(11), 2800–2808. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12562Full Text
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Klein, R. C., Acheson, S. K., Mace, B. E., Sullivan, P. M., & Moore, S. D. (2014). Altered neurotransmission in the lateral amygdala in aged human apoE4 targeted replacement mice. Neurobiol Aging, 35(9), 2046–2052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.02.019Full Text Link to Item
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Swartzwelder, H. S., Hogan, A., Risher, M.-L., Swartzwelder, R. A., Wilson, W. A., & Acheson, S. K. (2014). Effect of sub-chronic intermittent ethanol exposure on spatial learning and ethanol sensitivity in adolescent and adult rats. Alcohol, 48(4), 353–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.02.003Full Text Link to Item
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Klein, R. C., Saini, S., Risher, M.-L., Acheson, S. K., Fleming, R. L., Sexton, H. G., … Moore, S. D. (2014). Regional-specific effects of ovarian hormone loss on synaptic plasticity in adult human APOE targeted replacement mice. Plos One, 9(4), e94071. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094071Full Text Link to Item
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Li, Q., Fleming, R. L., Acheson, S. K., Madison, R. D., Moore, S. D., Risher, M.-L., … Swartzwelder, H. S. (2013). Long-term modulation of A-type K(+) conductances in hippocampal CA1 interneurons in rats after chronic intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence or adulthood. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(12), 2074–2085. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12204Full Text
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Fleming, R. L., Li, Q., Risher, M.-L., Sexton, H. G., Moore, S. D., Wilson, W. A., … Swartzwelder, H. S. (2013). Binge-pattern ethanol exposure during adolescence, but not adulthood, causes persistent changes in GABAA receptor-mediated tonic inhibition in dentate granule cells. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(7), 1154–1160. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12087Full Text
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Wang, H., Anderson, L. G., Lascola, C. D., James, M. L., Venkatraman, T. N., Bennett, E. R., … Laskowitz, D. T. (2013). ApolipoproteinE mimetic peptides improve outcome after focal ischemia. Exp Neurol, 241, 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.11.027Full Text Link to Item
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Acheson, S. K., Bearison, C., Risher, M. L., Abdelwahab, S. H., Wilson, W. A., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2013). Effects of acute or chronic ethanol exposure during adolescence on behavioral inhibition and efficiency in a modified water maze task. Plos One, 8(10), e77768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0077768Full Text Link to Item
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Risher, M.-L., Fleming, R. L., Boutros, N., Semenova, S., Wilson, W. A., Levin, E. D., … Acheson, S. K. (2013). Long-term effects of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure in adolescent and adult rats: radial-arm maze performance and operant food reinforced responding. Plos One, 8(5), e62940. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062940Full Text Link to Item
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Swartzwelder, N. A., Risher, M. L., Abdelwahab, S. H., D’Abo, A., Rezvani, A. H., Levin, E. D., … Acheson, S. K. (2012). Effects of ethanol, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, or their combination on object recognition memory and object preference in adolescent and adult male rats. Neurosci Lett, 527(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2012.08.037Full Text Link to Item
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Fleming, R. L., Acheson, S. K., Moore, S. D., Wilson, W. A., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2012). In the rat, chronic intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence alters the ethanol sensitivity of tonic inhibition in adulthood. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 36(2), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01615.xFull Text
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Gierisch, J. M., Straits-Tröster, K., Calhoun, P. S., Beckham, J. C., Acheson, S., & Hamlett-Berry, K. (2012). Tobacco use among Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans: a qualitative study of barriers, facilitators, and treatment preferences. Preventing Chronic Disease, 9, E58. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110131Full Text
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Fleming, R. L., Acheson, S. K., Moore, S. D., Wilson, W. A., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2011). GABA transport modulates the ethanol sensitivity of tonic inhibition in the rat dentate gyrus. Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.), 45(6), 577–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2011.03.003Full Text
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Acheson, S. K., Straits-Tröster, K., Calhoun, P. S., Beckham, J. C., & Hamlett-Berry, K. (2011). Characteristics and correlates of cigarette use among recent U.S. veterans. Military Psychology, 23(3), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2011.570589Full Text
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Zaborowski, D. E., Dedert, E. A., Straits-Troster, K., Lee, S., Wilson, S. M., Calhoun, P. S., … Beckham, J. C. (2011). Public health clinical demonstration project for smoking cessation in american veterans who served since september 11, 2001. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 5(1), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0b013e3181df97d5Full Text
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Acheson, S. K., Moore, N. L. T., Kuhn, C. M., Wilson, W. A., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2011). The synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212-2 differentially modulates thigmotaxis but not spatial learning in adolescent and adult animals. Neurosci Lett, 487(3), 411–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2010.10.067Full Text Link to Item
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Moore, N. L. T., Greenleaf, A. L. R., Acheson, S. K., Wilson, W. A., Swartzwelder, H. S., & Kuhn, C. M. (2010). Role of cannabinoid receptor type 1 desensitization in greater tetrahydrocannabinol impairment of memory in adolescent rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 335(2), 294–301. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.110.169359Full Text Link to Item
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White, A. M., Jordan, J. D., Schroeder, K. M., Acheson, S. K., Georgi, B. D., Sauls, G., … Swartzwelder, H. S. (2004). Predictors of relapse during treatment and treatment completion among marijuana-dependent adolescents in an intensive outpatient substance abuse program. Subst Abus, 25(1), 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1300/J465v25n01_08Full Text Link to Item
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Acheson, S. K., Ross, E. L., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2001). Age-independent and dose-response effects of ethanol on spatial memory in rats. Alcohol, 23(3), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0741-8329(01)00127-6Full Text Link to Item
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Abou-Donia, M. B., Abdel-Rahman, A. A., Kishk, A. M., Walker, D., Markwiese, B. J., Acheson, S. K., … Jensen, K. F. (2000). Neurotoxicity of ethyl methacrylate in rats. J Toxicol Environ Health A, 59(2), 97–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/009841000157005Full Text Link to Item
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Acheson, S. K., Richardson, R., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (1999). Developmental changes in seizure susceptibility during ethanol withdrawal. Alcohol, 18(1), 23–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0741-8329(98)00063-9Full Text Link to Item
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Acheson, S. K., Stein, R. M., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (1998). Impairment of semantic and figural memory by acute ethanol: age-dependent effects. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 22(7), 1437–1442. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03932.xFull Text
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Markwiese, B. J., Acheson, S. K., Levin, E. D., Wilson, W. A., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (1998). Differential effects of ethanol on memory in adolescent and adult rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 22(2), 416–421.Link to Item
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Molfese, V. J., & Acheson, S. (1997). Infant and preschool mental and verbal abilities: How are infant scores related to preschool scores? International Journal of Behavioral Development, 20(4), 595–607. https://doi.org/10.1080/016502597385072Full Text
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Gilbert, M. E., Acheson, S. K., Mack, C. M., & Crofton, K. M. (1990). An examination of the proconvulsant actions of pyrethroid insecticides using pentylenetetrazol and amygdala kindling seizure models. Neurotoxicology, 11(1), 73–86.Link to Item
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Book Sections
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Marx, C. E., Naylor, J. C., Kilts, J. D., Dunn, C. E., Tupler, L. A., Szabo, S. T., … Acheson, S. K. (2016). Neurosteroids and traumatic brain injury translating biomarkers to therapeutics; overview and pilot investigations in Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans. In Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (pp. 145–161).
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Conference Papers
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Fleming, R. L., Acheson, S. K., Risher, M. L., Li, Q., Wilson, W. A., Moore, S. D., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2012). IN THE RAT, CHRONIC INTERMITTENT ETHANOL EXPOSURE DURING ADOLESCENCE, BUT NOT LATER, ALTERS THE ETHANOL SENSITIVITY OF TONIC INHIBITION IN ADULTHOOD. In Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research (Vol. 36, pp. 105A-105A). San Francisco, CA: WILEY-BLACKWELL.Link to Item
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Advising & Mentoring
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