Name
Aviv Malkiel Weinstein (Ph.D)
Date May 2014
CURRICULUM VITAE AND LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
Personal Details
Name Aviv Malkiel Weinstein
Date of birth 1st April 1961 Place of Birth- Haifa Israel
Permanent Home Address: 8 Yefe Noff Street Zikhron Yaaqov, Israel.
Regular military service August 1979- September 1982
Home Telephone Number: 046399151 046397680
Cellular Phone: 972-524307610
Fax Number: 972-46397680
Work address: Dept. of Behavioral Sciences, University of Ariel, Ariel 40700.
Electronic Address: avivwe@ariel.ac.il
Education
B.Sc
Years 1988-1991- Hull University UK, Dept. of Psychology
Ph.D Years 1991-1994 University of Bristol, UK Dept. of Psychology
Name of advisor- Prof. David.J.Nutt Title of thesis “Cognitive dysfunction in anxiety
disorders”
Employment History
Current position- Temporary Senior Lecturer: Dept. of Behavioral Sciences, University of
Ariel
2011- 2013 Adjuvant Lecturer Dept. of Social work Tel Hai academic college.
2005-now Senior Research Fellow Dept. of Medical biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, Hadassah
Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
2003-now Senior Research Fellow, Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Sourasky Medical Center,
Weizman 6, Tel Aviv 64239.
2000-2007 Special Lecturer within community based Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and
Dentistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
1998-1999 Research Fellow, Brain Imaging Centre, IRP NIDA/NIH, Johns Hopkins Bayview,
5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore MD 21224.
1996-1998 Lecturer, School of Psychology, University College of North Wales,
Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK and Psychopharmacology Unit, School of Medical
Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 2
1994-1996 Research associate (post-doctorate) on MRC grant investigating cognitive
neuropsychological mechanisms of drug craving in opiate addicts, Psychopharmacology
Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
1993-1994 Research assistant on Medical Research Council (MRC) grant investigating
attention mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease including brain's electrophysiology,
Perception System Research Centre, Psychology Department, University of Bristol, UK.
1991-1993 Ph.D. student, Psychology Department and the Psychopharmacology Unit,
School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK. Self-funded.
1988-91 Student, Psychology (B.Sc.) Hull University, UK.
1986-8 Student, Danish, Language School Copenhagen University, Denmark. Worked
voluntarily in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
1982-6 Student, Law and Philosophy (B.A). Tel-Aviv University, Israel
1979-82 Military Service in the Israeli defence forces.
Professional Activities (in reverse chronological order)
(a) Positions in academic administration (departmental, faculty and university)
1996-1998 Lecturer University of Wales in Bangor Wales UK Department of
Psychology
2000-2002 Senior Lecturer University of Bristol, Bristol UK Department of Psychiatry and
Mental Health
(b) Editor or member of editorial board of scientific or professional journal
1) Spanish Journal of Addiction (Trastornos Addictivos) since 2000.
2) The Journal of Groups in Addictions and Recovery since 2003.
3) Frontiers in Impulsivity, Compulsivity and Behavioral Dyscontrol since 2010.
4) The Journal of Behavioral Addictions since 2011.
5) Current Addiction Reports since 2014.
6) Journal of substance abuse and alcoholism since 2014.
(d) Membership in professional/scientific societies
Member of the British Association for Psychopharmacology since 1995, a regular member
of the College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) since 2004 and World Federation
of Societies for Biological Psychiatry since 2006.
Educational activities
Courses taught
2013-Now- Developmental Psychology and Physiological Psychology- courses for 1st year
students, Psychopathology and a seminar on Behavioral Addictions, courses for 3rd year
students Dept. of Behavioral Sciences, University of Ariel.
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 3
2011-2013 Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychopathology, Developmental
Psychology courses for 1st and 3rd year students Social work and interdisciplinary studies,
Tel Hai Academic College
1998-MSc in addiction, Psychology Department, University of Wales, College of
Swansea, UK.
1996-1998- “Stress anxiety and coping” course and “drug addiction” as part of the
‘Abnormal Psychology’ course for undergraduates in the School of Psychology,
University of Wales, Bangor, UK.
1992-1998- Behavioural science course for medical students, Tutor, School of
Medical sciences and on the undergraduate course in Psychology in the
(b) Research students
1997 Barbara Feldtkeller M.Sc Psychology Department, University of Bristol, UK.
Joint supervision with Prof. Nutt
Awards, Citations, Honors, Fellowships
(a) Honors, Citation Awards (including during studies)
Year -
granting institution -
1991-1994
1994-1996
1998-2000
2003
2004
Bristol University,
UK
Medical Research
Council, UK
National Institute on
Drug Abuse
(NIDA)/University of
California at Los
Angeles (UCLA)
USA
National Institute on
Drug Abuse
(NIDA)/College on
Problems of Drug
Dependence (CPDD)
World Health
Organization
(WHO)/NIDA/CPDD
name of award
Scholarship for Ph.D.
Post-doctorate fellowship.
Visiting Research Fellow.
Israeli anti-drug authority
travelling fellowship award.
International travelling
fellowship award.
(b) Fellowships (e.g. Fullbright)
1998-1999 Visiting Research Fellow, Brain Imaging Centre, Intramural Research Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) National Institute of Health (NIH), Johns
Hopkins Hospital Bayview, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore MD 21224 USA
($36,000 every year).
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 4
Scientific Publications
1. Weinstein, A.M. (1995). Visual ERPs Evidence for Enhanced Processing of Threatening
Information in Anxious University Students. Biological Psychiatry, 37 (12), 847-858. Impact
Factor: 8.926.
2. Weinstein, A.M., Nutt, D.J. (1995) A cognitive dysfunction in anxiety and its amelioration by
effective treatment with SSRIs. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 9 (2), 83-89. Impact Factor:
3.37.
3. Weinstein, A.M., Wilson, S., Bailey, J., Nutt, D.J. (1996). Sedative antidepressants impair
visual detection mechanisms in humans. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 10(2), 141-145.
Impact Factor: 3.37.
4. Weinstein, A.M., Neal, L., Lillywhite, A., Potokar, J., Nutt, D.J. (1996). Cognitive processing
in PTSD. Anxiety Disorders, 2, 130-139. Impact Factor: 2.682.
5. Weinstein, A.M., Troscianko, T., and Calvert, J. (1997). Impaired Visual search Mechanisms
in Parkinson's Disease: An Event-Related Potentials Study. Journal of Psychophysiology, 11, 3347. Impact Factor: 2.488.
6. Weinstein, A.M., Wilson, S., Bailey, J.E., Myles, J. Nutt, D.J. (1997). Imagery of craving in
opiate addicts undergoing detoxification. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 48, 25-31. Impact
factor 3.599.
7. Weinstein, A.M., Lingford-Hughes, A., Martinez-Raga, J., Marshall, J. (1998). What makes
alcohol-dependent individuals early in abstinence crave for alcohol: exposure to the drink,
images of drinking or remembrance of drinks past? Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research, 22 (6), 1376-1381. Impact Factor: 3.421.
8. Weinstein, A.M., Feldtkeller, B., Malizia, A., Wilson, S., Bailey, J.E., Nutt, D. (1998).
Integrating the cognitive and physiological aspects of craving. Journal of Psychopharmacology,
12(1), 31-38. Impact Factor: 3.37.
9. London, E.D., Ernst, M., Grant, S., Bonson, C., Weinstein, A.M. (2000). Orbitofrontal Cortex
and Human Drug Abuse: Functional Imaging. Cerebral Cortex, 10, 334-342. Impact Factor:
6.979.
10. Weinstein, A.M., Feldtkeller, B., Law, F., Myles, J., Nutt, D.J. (2000). The processing of
automatic thoughts of drug use and craving in opiate dependent subjects. Experimental and
Clinical Psychopharmacology, 8(4), 549-553. Impact Factor: 2.545.
11. Feldtkeller, B., Weinstein, A.M., Cox, W.M., Nutt. D.J. (2001). Effects of Contextual
Priming on Alcohol-Related Lexical Decisions in Alcohol-Dependent and non-dependent
Participants. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 9 (3), 343-351. Impact Factor:
2.545.
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 5
12. Daglish, M.R.C., Weinstein, A., Malizia, A.L., Wilson, S., Melichar, J.K., Britten, S.,
Brewer, C., Lingford-Hughes, A., Myles, J., Grasby, P., Nutt, D.J. (2001). Changes in Regional
cerebral blood flow elicited by craving memories in abstinent opiate-dependent subjects.
American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, (10), 1680-1686. Impact Factor: 14.72.
13. Wilson, S.J., Bailey, J.E., Alford, C., Weinstein, A., Nutt, D.J. (2002). Effects of 5 weeks
administration of fluoxetine and dothiepin in normal volunteers on sleep, daytime sedation,
psychomotor performance and mood. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 16, (4), 321-331. Impact
Factor: 3.37.
14. Weinstein, A.M., Feldtkeller, B., Feeney, A., Lingford-Hughes, A., Nutt. D.J. (2003). Effects
of treatment with acamprosate on craving for alcohol in Alcohol-Dependent Patients. Addiction
Biology, 8, 229-231. Impact Factor: 4.728.
15. Daglish, M.R.C, Weinstein, A.M., Malizia, A.L., Wilson, S., Melichar, J.K., LingfordHughes, A., Myles, J.S., Grasby, P., Nutt, D.J. (2003). Functional connectivity analysis of the
neural circuits of opiate craving- “more” rather than “different”? Neuroimage, 20, 1964-1970.
Impact Factor: 6.828.
16. Weinstein, A., Cox, W., Miles. (2006). Cognitive processing of drug-related stimuli: the role
of memory and attention. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 20 (6), 850-859. Impact Factor:
3.37.
17. Zetteler, J.I., Stollery, B.T., Weinstein, A.M., Lingford-Hughes, A.R. (2006). Attentional bias
for alcohol-related information in adolescents with alcohol-dependent parents. Alcohol and
Alcoholism, 41(4):426-430. Impact Factor: 2.68.
18. Weinstein, A., Brickner, O., Lerman, H., Greemland, M., Bloch, M., Lester, H., Freedman,
N., Mechoulam, R., Bar-Hamburger, R., Chisin, R., Even-Sapir, E. (2007). Brain imaging study
of the acute effects of Δ-9 THC on attention and motor coordination in regular users of
marijuana. Psychopharmacology 196(1): 119-131. Impact Factor: 4.06.
19. Karila, L., Gorelick, D.A., Weinstein, A., Noble, F., Benyamina, A., Blecha, L., Coscas, S.,
Gillaizeau, I., Lowenstein, W., Lépine, J.P,.Reynaud, M. (2008). New treatments for cocaine
dependence: a focused review. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 11 (3), 425438. Impact Factor: 5.64.
20. Karila, L., Weinstein, A., Benyamina, A., Coscas, S., Leroy, C., Guillard, K., Noble, F.,
Lowenstein, W., Lépine, J.P., Reynaud, M. (2008). Options pharmacologiques actuelles dans la
dépendance à la cocaïne - Current pharmacological options in the treatment of cocaine
dependence. Presse Med 37 (4 Pt 2):689-98 (in French). Impact Factor: 0.867.
21. Weinstein, A., Brickner, O., Lerman, H., Greemland, M., Bloch, M., Lester, H., Chisin, R.,
Sarne, Y., Mechoulam, R., Bar-Hamburger, R., Freedman, N., Even-Sapir, E. (2008). A study
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 6
investigating the acute dose-response effects of 13mg and 17mg Δ 9-THC on cognitive-motor
skills, subjective and autonomic measures in regular users of marijuana. Journal of
Psychopharmacology, 22(4), 323-333. Impact Factor: 3.37.
22. Weinstein, A., Yemini, Z., Greif, J. (2008). Cigarette smoking cessation treatment combining
group therapy with Zyban. Journal of Groups in Addiction and Recovery, 3(1), 21-29.
23. Weinstein, A., Greif, J., Yemini, Z., Lerman, H., Weizman, A., Even-Sapir, E. (2010).
Attenuation of cue-induced smoking urges and brain reward activity in successfully-treated
smokers with bupropion. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 24, 829-838. Impact Factor: 3.37.
24. Karila, L., A., Weinstein, A., Noble, F., Benyamina, A., Blecha, L., Lépine, J.P,.Reynaud, M.
(2010). New treatments for methamphetamine dependence: a focused review. British Journal of
Clinical Pharmacology, 69(6):578-92. Impact Factor: 3.58.
25. Weinstein, A (2010). Computer and video game addiction. American Journal of Drug and
Alcohol Abuse, 36(5), 268-276. Impact Factor: 1.335.
26. Weinstein, A., Lejoyeux, M. (2010). Internet addiction or Excessive Internet Use. American
Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(5), 277-283. Impact Factor: 1.335.
27. Lejoyeux, M., Weinstein, A. (2010). Compulsive buying. American Journal of Drug and
Alcohol Abuse, 36 (5), 248–253. Impact Factor: 1.335.
28. Grant, J.E., Potenza, M.N., Weinstein, A., Gorelick, D.A (2010). Introduction to Behavioral
Addictions. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(5), 233–241. Impact Factor:
1.335.
29. Weinstein, A., Miller, H., Tal, E., Ben Avi, I., Herman, I., Bar-Hamburger, R., Bloch, M.
(2010). Treatment of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome using Cognitive-behavior therapy and
relapse prevention for cannabis dependence. Journal of Groups in Addiction and Recovery, 5(34) 240-264.
30. Weinstein, A.M., Gorelick, D.A. (2011). Pharmacological treatment for cannabis dependence.
Current Pharmaceuticals Design, 17(14):1351-8. Impact Factor: 4.39
31. Weinstein, A.M., Weizman, A. (2012). A. Emerging Association between Addictive Gaming
and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14 (5), 590-597.
Impact Factor: 3.23
32.Weinstein, A.M., Lejoyeux. (2013). New developments in the psychobiology of
internet and videogame addiction. American Journal of Addiction, 20, 1-9. Impact
Factor: 1.74.
33. Lejoyeux, M., Weinstein, A. (2013). Shopping Addiction in Principles of Addiction
Volume 1, Chapter 85, pp 1-7, Elsevier.
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 7
34. Peles, E., Weinstein, A., Schreiber, S., Sason, A., Adelson, M. (2013). An interaction
in the Stroop interference effect among patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
and patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in methadone
maintenance treatment (MMT). Journal of Central Nervous Disease. Impact Factor: 3.409
35. Weinstein, A. (2013). Internet and Videogame Addiction: Clinical Implications
for Assessment and Treatment. CME lesson- Directions in Psychiatry," Volume 33,
Part 2.
Lectures and Presentations at Meetings and Invited Seminars not followed by
Published Proceedings
Presentation of papers at conferences/meetings (oral or poster)
Date
1996
1999
1999
2003
2004
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
Name of
Conference
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
American College of
Neuropsychopharmacology
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
European College of
Neuropsychopharmacology
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
European College of
Neuropsychopharmacology
Association of European
Psychiatrists
European College of
Neuropsychopharmacology
World Federation Societies
of Biological Psychiatry
Place of
Conference
San Juan
Puerto Rico
Scottsdale
Arizona
USA
Puerto Rico
Subject of Conference/
Role at Conference/
Comments
Drug Dependence
Drug Dependence
Role
Presenter
Oral
Presenter
Neuropsychopharmacology
Presenter
Florida USA
Drug Dependence
Presenter
San Juan
Puerto Rico
Orlando
Florida
Scottsdale
Arizona
USA
Paris France
Drug Dependence
Presenter
Drug Dependence
Presenter
Drug Dependence
Presenter
Neuropsychopharmacology
Presenter
Drug Dependence
Presenter
Neuropsychopharmacology
Presenter
Psychiatry
Presenter
and chair of
symposia on
cocaine
addiction
Presenter
Quebec
Canada
Vienna
Austria
Nice, France
Barcelona,
Spain
Paris France
Neuropsychopharmacology
Biological Psychiatry
Presenter
and chair of
symposia on
brain
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 8
2010
American Psychiatric
Association
New Orleans
USA
Psychiatry
2011
World Federation Societies
of Biological Psychiatry
Prague,
Czech
Republic
Biological Psychiatry
2011
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
Hollywood
Florida USA
Drug Dependence
3102
International Congress on
behavioral addictions
Budapest,
Hungary
Behavioral addictions
2013
World Federation of
Biological Psychiatry 11th
meeting
Dual diagnosis conference
Kyoto Japan
Biological Psychiatry
Barcelona
Spain
Psychiatry
College of Problems of
Drug Dependence
San Juan
Puerto Rico
Drug dependence
2013
2014
imaging in
drug
addiction
and
behavioral
addiction
Presenter
and Chair of
symposia on
cannabis
addiction
Presenter
and Chair on
symposia on
brain
imaging in
addiction
and cannabis
Presenter in
symposia on
brain
imaging of
nicotine and
cannabis
Invited
plenary
speaker on
internet
addiction
and the
brain
Chair
symposium
on cannabis
And
presenter on
behavioral
addiction
Presenter
(d) Seminar presentations at universities and institutions
Date
Place of Lecture
1997
Johns Hopkins Bayview
Hospital, Baltimore, MD
USA
2010
Johns Hopkins Bayview
Hospital, Baltimore, MD
USA
Name of Forum
National Institute
on Drug Abuse
and National
Institute on Health
NIDA/NIH
National Institute
on Drug Abuse
and National
Institute on Health
NIDA/NIH
Presentation/Comments
Cognitive Mechanisms in Drug
Dependence
Brain imaging in Drug
Dependence
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 9
Research Grants
Role in
Research
Co-PI
Co-Researchers
Topic
Dr. Tom Troscianko Dr.
June Calvert
Attentional
Mechanisms in
Parkinson’s
Disease
Co-PI
Prof. David Nutt and Dr.
Judy Myles
Cognitive
processing in
opiate addicts.
Co-PI
Prof. David Nutt, Dr.
Barry Jones, Dr. John
McMahon
Cognitive
processing in
alcohol addiction.
Co-PI
Prof. B. Jones, Prof. W. M.
Cox, Dr. J. Mc Mahon
Co-PI
Prof. David Nutt, Dr. Judy
Myles
Co-PI
Prof. David Nutt
Co-PI
Prof. Einat Even-Sapir
Co-PI
Prof. Einat Even-Sapir
Co-PI
Prof. Einat Even-Sapir
Co-PI
Prof. Yodphat Krausz
PI
Prof. Roland Chisin, Prof.
Avi Weizman, Prof.
Richard Ebstein
Co-PI
Prof. Roland Chisin, Prof.
Cognitive
processing in
alcohol addiction.
Cognitivebehavior
treatment of
opiate-dependent
individuals
Craving for
alcohol and its
treatment by
acamprosate
Functional brain
imaging in
recreational users
of “Ecstasy”
(MDMA).
Brain imaging
study into the
effects of
abstinence and
craving in heavy
and light cigarette
smokers.
Brain Imaging
study of
orientation,
coordination and
executive function
in recreational
users of
marijuana.
Functional brain
imaging in
recreational users
of “Ecstasy”
(MDMA).
A pharmacogenetic and brain
imaging study of
dopamine release
in drug abuse
The effects of
Funded by
Year
Amount
Medical
Reseach
Council (MRC)
UK
Medical
Reseach
Council (MRC)
UK
Medical
Reseach
Council (MRC)
UK
1993-4
.£010111
1994-5
£40,000.
1995-6
£30,000.
British Economic
and Social
Research Council
South West
Regional Health
Authority, UK
1996-7
£40,000.
1996-7
£40,000.
Merck-Lipha
pharmaceuticals
1996-8
£50,000.
“Adams Trust”
Tel Aviv
University,
Israel.
2003-4
$10,000
Chief Scientist,
Ministry of
Health, Israel.
2004-6
$80,000
Israeli Anti-Drug
Authority,
Jerusalem, Israel.
2004-5
$30,000
Israeli Anti-Drug
Authority,
Jerusalem, Israel.
2005-8
$30,000
The National
Institute for
Psychobiology in
Israel.
20052011
$90,000
Sacta-Rashi
2006-
$470,000
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
Henri Atlan
Co-PI
Dr. Miki Bloch
PI
Prof. Einat Even-Sapir
page 10
modafinil and
topiramate on
brain mechanisms
underlying cueinduced cocaine
craving and
dependence in
methadone
maintained
cocaine dependent
patients.
Treatment of
Marijuana
Withdrawal
Syndrome Using
Escitalopram in
Combination with
Cognitivebehavior therapy
Evaluation of the
effects of
psychological and
pharmacological
treatment of
"backpackers" in
Kfar Izun in Israel
Foundation.
2010
Israeli AntiDrug Authority.
20072009
$50,000
Israeli Anti-Drug
Authority,
Jerusalem, Israel.
2011Now
$75,000
• Synopsis of research, including reference to publications and grants in above lists (Do not
exceed three single-spaced pages.)
Over the past 20 years, I have developed expertise in psychological,
pharmacological and brain imaging aspects of theory and treatment of drug and
alcohol dependence. First, I have investigated the psychological processes that
are responsible for craving and withdrawal in opiate and alcohol-dependent
patients, including a study on brain imaging of craving for opiates in Positron
Emission Tomography (PET) in Bristol and London, UK. This work was a new
cognitive-physiological-brain approach to drug craving and dependence which
resulted in several grants and prestigious publications.
I was then trained in brain imaging in PET in NIDA, in Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore USA which added an expertise in brain imaging in addiction. My
work included training in PET brain imaging in Baltimore and establishment of
a brain imaging facility in UCLA together with Prof. Edythe London. This
resulted in several publication and grants and international expertise in brain
imaging in the field of drug and alcohol addiction.
Thirdly, I have specialized in combined pharmacological and psychological
treatment for opiate and alcohol dependence in the UK and the US.
These three aspects of addiction namely- theoretical models, brain imaging and
treatment have been further developed in Israel. I have first established a brain-
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 11
imaging laboratory (PET/SPECT) in the Dept. of Nuclear Medicine in Sourasky
Medical Centre in Tel Aviv (2004-now) and then in Hadassah Medical
Organization in Jerusalem Israel (2006-now). We have conducted studies on the
effects of “ecstasy” and marijuana on the cognitive, motor function and brain
activity in recreational users (see grants 2004-2007). We have further
conducted several studies on combined pharmacological-psychological
treatment of nicotine, cocaine and cannabis dependence (see grants 2006-2011).
Further work on pharmacological and psychological treatment of drug and
alcohol addiction includes studying the effects of pharmacological and
psychological treatment of psycho-stimulant dependence on the brain (Israeli
Anti-Drug Authority 2012-now).
I am particularly interested in the combination of molecular genetics and brain
imaging which is an exciting new field of research. It has major scientific
implications for understanding of drug dependence. Furthermore, this research
is aimed to answer important clinical questions such as who is likely to develop
cannabis-induced psychosis and who is likely to benefit from the various
pharmacological treatments for cannabis and nicotine-dependence. We started a
collaboration with Prof. Edythe London from UCLA on brain imaging of
dopamine in synthetic drug users. We have also started collaboration with Dr.
Tami Kushnir the Head of the fMRI unit in Tel Hashomer hospital for research
on cannabis and synthetic drugs. Finally, we have published several papers and
reviews on behavioural addiction (I am on the Editorial board of the Journal of
Behavioral addictions and the scientific committee of the journal and
international meeting). I plan to expand this work into internet addiction, eating
disorders, sports and sex addiction with collaborators in Israel and abroad.
• Present Academic Activities
Research in progress
Evaluation of the effects of psychological and pharmacological treatment of
"backpackers" in Kfar Izun in Israel with Prof. Einat Even-Sapir (Sourasky)
Omri Frisch (Kfar Izun). $83,000. Expected date of completion October 2014
• Additional Information
My teaching experience includes teaching courses on behavioural science to
medical students at the University of Bristol, Abnormal Psychology (B.Sc) and addiction
(M.Sc) University of Wales, and Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychopathology
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 12
and Developmental Psychology (B.A) Social work and interdisciplinary studies, Tel Hai
Academic College and Developmental Psychology and behavioral addiction in the
University of Ariel. I have jointly supervised undergraduate students and an M.A student
in Psychology in Bristol UK. My professional activity included being a member of
editorial boards of the Spanish Journal of Addiction (Trastornos Addictivos) since 2000,
The Journal of Groups in Addictions and Recovery since 2003, Frontiers in Impulsivity,
Compulsivity and Behavioral Dyscontrol since 2010, The Journal of Behavioral
Addictions since 2011. I am also a member of the British Association for
Psychopharmacology since 1995, a regular member of the College of Problems of Drug
Dependence (CPDD) since 2004 and Israeli and World Federation of Societies for
Biological Psychiatry since 2006. My work has received international recognition and I
have participated and presented in 20 international conferences. In recent years I have been
co-chairperson in symposia on brain imaging in addiction and cannabis addiction in
international meetings such as the World Federation of Biological Psychiatry (2009, 2011,
2013) and the American College of Psychiatry (2010).
Since my arrival at the University of Ariel, I have taught the courses on Physiological
Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology and behavioral addiction. In the
next academic year I will supervise 3 M.A students on projects on behavioural addictions
and an M.A students jointly with Dr. Zsolt Demtorovics the head of the Institute of
Psychology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest in Hungary on synthetic drugs. In
view of new programs for research, I intend to contribute my expertise in preparing new
syllabus and teaching in the University of Ariel.
Articles in press
36. Weinstein, A.M., Feder, K., Rosenberg, K., Dannon, P (2014). Internet
addiction- criteria evidence and treatment. Chapter 5 in a book titled “Behavioral
Addictions: Criteria, Evidence and Treatment” Elsevier.
37. Weinstein, A.M., Miller, H., Bluvstein, I., Tal, E., Rapaport, Y., Schreiber, S.,
Bar-Hamburger, R, Bloch, M. Treatment of Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome
Using Escitalopram in Combination with Cognitive-behavior therapy: a DoubleBlind Placebo-Controlled Study. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Impact Factor: 1.335.
38. Weinstein, A.M., Weinstein I. (2014). Sports addiction- a review in a special edition
titled “New behaviors, New drugs: the modern landscape of addiction” by Current
Pharmaceutical Design. Impact Factor: 4.39
Name Aviv Weinstein (Ph.D)
page 13
39. Karila, L., Wéry, A., Weinstein, A., Cottencin, O., Reynaud, M., Billieux, J.
(2014). Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: Different terms for the same
problem? A review of the literature. A chapter for a special edition named “New
behaviors, New drugs: the modern landscape of addiction” by Current
Pharmaceutical Design. Impact Factor: 4.39.
40. Weinstein, A., Dinur, L., Dannon, P (2014). A Comparison of the Status, Legal,
Economic, and Psychological Characteristics of Types of Adult Male Gamblers.
Journal of Gambling studies.
Books and articles in preparation to be published
1. Weinstein, A Aboujaoude, E. Internet addiction a chapter in the book titled: “Mental
Health in the Digital Age: Grave Dangers, Great Promise”. Editors: Elias Aboujaoude and
Vladan Starcevic. Oxford University Press.
2. Weinstein and Weinstein I. A chapter on Sports Addiction in a book titled:
Behavioral Addictions. Editor Nancy Petry. Oxford University Press.
3. Weinstein, A., Freedman, N., Greif, J., Mishani, E., London, E.D., Chisin, R.,
Bocher, M. A brain-imaging study of nicotine-induced dopamine release in
cigarette smokers in treatment with bupropion using [11C] raclopride in positron
emission tomography. Was presented in CPDD 2011.
4. Weinstein, A.M., Freedman, N., Herman, I., Mishani, E., Gorelick, D.A., Atlan, H., Chisin, R.
The effects of modafinil and topiramate on brain mechanisms underlying cue-induced
cocaine craving and dependence in cocaine and heroin dependent patients (Will be
presented in CPDD 2014.