Brett Froeliger
Professor; Director, Cognitive Neuroscience Systems (CNS) Core Facility
froeligerb@health.missouri.edu
Health Neuroscience Center
Faculty
Lab Information
Health Neuroscience Center
15 Melvin H. Marx Building, 1416 Carrie Francke Dr.
About the Lab

The Health Neuroscience Center (HNC) is organized around using cognitive and affective neuroscience methods to investigate the pathophysiology of drug addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Each research project is conducted using human subjects and leverages a broad array of techniques, including brain imaging (fMRI), non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), lab-based behavioral measures, and remote behavioral monitoring and assessments. The HNC invites students, fellows, and faculty to discuss ways to collaborate on mind-blowing research that may hold the potential to reduce human suffering and improve well-being.

Research Interests

Addiction Neuroscience, Mindfulness, Neuropsychopharmacology, Inhibitory Control, Emotion Regulation.

My program of research is focused on a) examining the neural and behavioral mechanisms that undergird the ongoing maintenance of substance used disorders and b) evaluating the potential of new therapeutic approaches for treating addiction pathophysiology. Therapeutic testing is conducted in three domains: 1) novel medications/molecules; 2) emerging behavioral treatments; and 3) non-invasive neural stimulation. 

Bio

Ph.D.                         Southern Illiniois University - Carbondale     2008

Research Scientist    Duke University Medical Center                     2007-2012

Assistant Prof            MUSC                                                            2013-2017

Associate Prof           MUSC                                                            2017-2020

Professor                  University of Missouri                                   2020 - present 

Selected Publications

SELECT MANUSCRIPTS

  • Garland, E.L, Hudak, J., Hanley, A.W., Bernat, E., Froeliger, B. (2025). Positive Emotion Dysregulation in Opioid Use Disorder and Normalization by Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement. JAMA Psychiatry. PMID: 40305010
  • Upton, S., Froeliger, B. (2025). Regulation of Craving and Underlying Resting-State Neural Circuit Functional Connectivity are Associated with Smoking Lapse. Translational Psychiatry. PMID: 40148270.
  • Sahlem GL, Dowdle LT, Baker NL, Sherman BJ, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL, Froeliger B, Squeglia LM. (2025). Exploring the Utility of a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Cannabis Cue-Reactivity Paradigm in Treatment Seeking Adults with Cannabis Use Disorder. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. PMID 39326740.
  • Smith, A., Azeem, M., Odhiambo, C.O., Wright, P.J., Diktas, H.E., Upton, S., Martin, C.K., Froeliger, B., Corbett, C.F., Valafar, H. (2024). Toward Concurrent Identification of Human Activities with a Single Unifying Neural Network Classification: First Step. Sensors. PMID: 39065939.  
  • Massey, Z.B., Hammond, D., Froeliger, B. (2024). A Narrative Systematic Review of Cannabis Health Warning Research. Preventative Medicine Reports. PMID: 38222305
  • Brown, A., Cofresi, R., Froeliger, B. (2023). Associations between the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM-68) and Regional Brain Volumes in Adult Smokers. Nicotine and Tobacco Research. PMID: 37338201
  • Rolbiecki, A.J., Govindarajan, A., Froeliger B. (2023). Immersive Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback for the Management of Cancer Symptoms during Treatment. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Jul 26;31(8):493. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07957-3. PMID: 37493785
  • Sherman, B.J., Brasher, Z.B., Baker, N.L., McRae-Clark, A.L., Froeliger, B. (2023). Restructuring reward: A pilot study to enhance natural reward response in adults with cannabis use disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. PMID: 37329729
  • Upton, S., Brown, A., Ithman, M., Newman-Norlund, R., Sahlem, G., Prisciandaro, J., McClure, E.A., Froeliger, B. (2023). Effects of Hyperdirect Pathway Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Inhibitory Control, Craving, and Smoking in Adults with Nicotine Dependence: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. PMID: 37567363
  • Garland, E.L., Hanley, A.W., Hudak, J., Nakamura, Y., Froeliger, B. (2022). Mindfulness-Induced Endogenous Theta Stimulation Occasions Self-Transcendence and Inhibits Addictive Behavior. Science Advances. PMCID: PMC9555770
  • Nall, R.W., Belote, L.N., Meyerink, M.E., Penaloza, T., Doolittle, J., Froeliger, B., Kalivas, P.W., Garcia-Keller, C. (2022). Assessing Combined Effects of Varenicline and N-acetylcysteine on Reducing Nicotine Seeking in Rats. Addition Biology. PMID: 35229943.
  • Cole, C., Powers, S., Tomko, R., Froeliger, B., Valafar, H. (2021). Quantitation of Smoking Characteristics using Smartwatch Technology: Pilot Feasibility Study of New Technology. JMIR Formative Research. PMID: 33544083
  • Halbert CH, Jefferson MS, Danielson C, Froeliger, B, Giordanoa A, Thaxton J. (2020). An observational study and randomized trial of stress reactivity in cancer disparities. Health Psychology. Sep;39(9):745-757. doi: 10.1037/hea0000882. PMID: 32833476
  • McConnell, P. A., E. L. Garland, J. K. Zubieta, R. Newman-Norlund, S. Powers and Froeliger, B. (2020). Impaired frontostriatal functional connectivity among chronic opioid using pain patients is associated with dysregulated affect. Addict Biol. Mar;25(2):e12743. doi: 10.1111/adb.12743. Epub 2019 Apr 4. PMID: 30945801
  • Garland, E.L., Atchley, R., Howard, M., Zubieta, J-K., Froeliger, B. (2019). Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement Restructures Reward Processing Among Chronic Opioid Users: Neurophysiological and Affective Evidence. Science Advances 5(10). PMID 31663023
  • Froeliger, B., Mathew, A.R., McConnell, P.A., Eichberg, C., Saladin, M.E., Carpenter, M.J., Garland, E.L. (2017). Restructuring Reward Mechanisms in Nicotine Addiction: A Pilot fMRI Study of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Cigarette Smokers. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM 2017.
  • Froeliger, B., McConnell, P.A., Sweitzer, M.A., Bell, S., Kozink, R.V., Eichberg, C., Gray, K.M., McClernon, F.J. (2017). Association Between Baseline Corticothalamic-Mediated Inhibitory Control and Smoking Relapse Vulnerability. JAMA Psychiatry. Mar 1. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0017
  • Germeroth, L.J., Carpenter, M.J., Baker, N.L., Froeliger, B., LaRowe, S.D., Saladin, M.E. (2017). A Brief Memory Updating Intervention Significantly Attenuates Smoking Behavior. JAMA Psychiatry. Feb 1.PMID: 28146243.
  • Froeliger, B., McConnell, P.A., Stankeviciute, N., McClure, E.A., Kalivas, P.W., Gray, K.M. (2015). The effects of N-Acetylcysteine on frontostriatal resting-state functional connectivity, withdrawal symptoms and smoking abstinence: A double-blind, placebo-controlled fMRI pilot study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.09.021. PMID: 26454838.
  • Garland, E, Hanley, A., Farb, N., Froeliger, B. (2015). State Mindfulness During Meditation Predicts Enhanced Cognitive Reappraisal. Mindfulness. Apr 1;6(2):234-242. PMID: 26085851.
  • McConnell, P.A., Froeliger, B.  (2015). Mindfulness, Mechanisms and Meaning: Perspectives from the Cognitive Neuroscience of Addiction. Psychological Inquiry. PMID: 26924915.
  • Garland, E.L., Manusov, E., Froeliger, B., Kelly, A., Williams, J., Howard, M. (2014). Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Chronic Pain and Prescription Opioid Misuse: Results from an Early Stage Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Jun;82(3):448-59. PMID: 24491075.
  • Garland, E. L., Froeliger, B., Zeidan, F., Suveg, K., & Howard, M. O. (2013). The downward spiral of chronic pain, prescription opioid misuse, and addiction: Cognitive, affective, and neuropsychopharmacologic pathways. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Dec;37(10 Pt 2):2597-607. PMID: 23988582.
  • Froeliger, B., Garland, E.L., Modlin, L.A., McClernon, F.J. (2012). Neurocognitive correlates of the effects of yoga meditation practice on emotion and cognition: a pilot study. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 6. PMID: 22855674
  • Froeliger, B., Garland, E.L., Kozink, R.V. et al., (2012) Meditation-State Functional Connectivity (msFC): Strengthening of the Dorsal Attention Network and Beyond, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. vol. 2012, Article ID 680407, 9 pages, 2012. PMID: 22536289.
  • Rose, J.E., McClernon, F.J., Froeliger, B., Behm, F.M., Preud'homme, X., Krystal, A. (2011). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the superior frontal gyrus modulates craving for cigarettes. Biological Psychiatry, 70, 794-799. PMID: 21762878.
  • Froeliger, B., Gilbert, D.G., & McClernon, F.J. (2009). Effects of Nicotine on Novelty Detection and Memory Recognition Performance: Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies of Smokers and Nonsmokers. Psychopharmacology, 205, 625-633. PMID: 19488741.

BOOK CHAPTERS

  • Fisher, M.L., Pauly, J.R, Froeliger, B., Turner, J.R. (2020). Translational Research in Nicotine Addiction. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine. Cold Spring Habor Laboratory Press.
  • Garland, E.L., Bell, S., Atchley, R., Froeliger, B. (2017). Emotion Dysregulation in Addiction.  Oxford Handbook on Emotion Dysregulation, Oxford University Press.
  • Garland, E.L., & Froeliger, B.E. (2013). Mindfulness training targets addiction at the attention-emotion interface: A neurocognitive framework. In E. Langer, A. Le, & C. Ngoumen (eds.), Handbook of Mindfulness, Wiley-Blackwell.
Lab Area
Cognition and Neuroscience