Shawn K. Acheson | Scholars@Duke

Shawn K. Acheson
Assistant Professor in 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

Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2013
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers 2012

Contact Information

1260 Betty's Creek Rd, Sylva, NC 28779
1260 Betty's Creek Rd, Sylva, NC 28779
shawn.acheson@duke.edu (919) 684-2384

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Southern Illinois University 1997
Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2009 - 2013
Expertise
Subject Headings
Research
Selected Grants
- 1/8 NADIA UO1 Adolescent Alcohol Effects on Learning and Hippocampal Function awarded by National Institutes of Health 2010 - 2020
- 1/8 NADIA UO1 Adolescent Alcohol Effects on Learning and Hippocampal Function awarded by National Institutes of Health 2010 - 2020
- IPA - Shawn Acheson 2018
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.015
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12956-6
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04704-7
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep39580
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173798
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34834
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - 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.23702
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 39(6), 989–997. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12725
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140042
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 38(11), 2800–2808. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12562
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.2014.02.019
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.2014.02.003
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094071
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 37(12), 2074–2085. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12204
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 37(7), 1154–1160. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12087
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.2012.11.027
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0077768
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062940
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.2012.08.037
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 36(2), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01615.x
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Prev Chronic Dis, 9.
    Link to Item
  - 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.2011.03.003
    Full Text
  - 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/10.1080/08995605.2011.570589
    Full Text
  - 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.. J Addict Med, 5(1), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0b013e3181df97d5
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Neuroscience Letters, 487(3), 411–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2010.10.067
    Full Text
  - 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.110.169359
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Substance Abuse, 25(1), 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1300/j465v25n01_08
    Full Text
  - 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)00127-6
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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.. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 59(2), 97–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/009841000157005
    Full Text
  - 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)00063-9
    Full Text Link to Item
  - Acheson, S. K., Stein, R. M., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (1998). Impairment of semantic and figural memory by acute ethanol: age-dependent effects.. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 22(7), 1437–1442. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03932.x
    Full Text Link to Item
  - 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
  - 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/10.1080/016502597385072
    Full Text
  - 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.
- Book Sections
  - 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).
- Conference Papers
  - 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
Teaching & Mentoring
Advising & Mentoring
Available to mentor:
- Undergraduate

Some information on this profile has been compiled automatically from Duke databases and external sources. (Our About page explains how this works.) If you see a problem with the information, please write to Scholars@Duke and let us know. We will reply promptly.

Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Book Sections

Conference Papers

Advising & Mentoring

Available to mentor: