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Robert I. Block, Ph.D.
Associate Professor


Contact Information
Office Address: 5140 WL
Phone Number: (319) 335-8975

Email Me

Education
Graduate Education
  • Harvard University
  • Rutgers University
Research Interests
  • Acute and chronic effects of drugs on cognition
  • Psychological studies of anesthesia
Appointments
  • Wayne State University 1982-84
  • The University of Iowa College of Medicine 1988-present
Additional
Book Chapters

  1. Brinkman, S.D., Largen, J.W., Jr., Cushman, L., Braun, P.R. and Block, R. Clinical validators: Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia. In Poon, L.W. (Ed.), Handbook for Clinical Memory Assessment of Older Adults. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1986. Pp. 307-313.

  2. Block, R.I., Ghoneim, M.M., Pathak, D., Kumar, V. and Hinrichs, J.V. Studying effects of a subanesthetic concentration of nitrous oxide to select assessments sensitive to learning during general anesthesia. In Bonke, B., Fitch, W. and Millar, K. (Eds.), Memory and Awareness in Anaesthesia. Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger B.V., 1990. Pp. 83-89.

  3. Ghoneim, M.M., Block, R.I., Sum Ping, S.T., Ali, M.A. and Hoffman, J.G. Learning without recall during general anaesthesia. In Bonke, B., Fitch, W. and Millar, K. (Eds.), Memory and Awareness in Anaesthesia. Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger B.V., 1990. Pp. 161-169.

  4. Ghoneim, M.M. and Block, R.I. Memory for events during anesthesia does occur: An anesthesiologist's viewpoint. In Sebel, P.S., Bonke, B. and Winograd, E. (Eds.), Memory and Awareness in Anesthesia. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: P T R Prentice Hall, 1993. Pp. 452-458.

  5. Mewaldt, S.P., Ghoneim, M.M. and Block, R.I. Cognitive effects of anaesthesia. In Gibson, H.B. (Ed.), Psychology, Pain and Anaesthesia. London: Chapman & Hall, 1994. Pp. 146-176.

  6. Mewaldt, S.P., Block, R.I. and Ghoneim, M.M. Awareness and memory for events during anaesthesia. In Gibson, H.B. (Ed.), Psychology, Pain and Anaesthesia. London: Chapman & Hall, 1994. Pp. 177-203.

  7. Ghoneim, M.M. and Block, R.I. Recent advances in the study of memory and awareness during general anaesthesia. In Bonke, B., Bovill, J.G. and Moerman, N. (Eds.), Memory and Awareness in Anaesthesia III. Assen, The Netherlands: Van Gorcum, 1996. Pp. 3-9.

  8. Ghoneim, M.M. and Block, R.I. Preface. In: Ghoneim, M.M. (Ed.), Awareness During Anesthesia. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001. Pp. ix – xx.

  9. Block, R.I. Cognitive and subjective effects of psychotropic drugs (other than psychedelics). In: Ban, T.A., Healy, D. and Shorter, E. (Eds.), From Psychopharmacology to Neuropsychopharmacology in the 1980s and the Story of CINP As Told in Autobiography (The History of Psychopharmacology and the CINP, As Told in Autobiography, Volume 3). Budapest: Animula, 2002. Pp. 221-225.

  10. Block, R.I. Methods for studying acute and chronic effects of marijuana on human associative processes and memory. In: Onaivi, E.S. (Ed.), Methods in Molecular Medicine: Marijuana and Cannabinoid Research: Methods and Protocols. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 2006. Pp. 217-234.

Publications
  1. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Haffarnan M, Mathews MJ: Awareness during anesthesia: risk factors, causes and sequelae: a review of reported cases in the literature. Anesth Analg 2009 Jan 20


  2. Ghoneim MM, Block RI: Immediate peri-operative memory. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2007 Aug 19


  3. O'Leary DS, Block RI, Koeppel JA, Schultz SK, Magnotta VA, Ponto LB, Watkins GL, Hichwa RD: Effects of smoking marijuana on focal attention and brain blood flow. Hum Psychopharmacol 2007 Apr; 22(3):135-48


  4. Block RI: Methods for studying acute and chronic effects of marijuana on human associative processes and memory. Methods Mol Med 2006 Mar 2


  5. Ponto LL, O'Leary DS, Koeppel J, Block RI, Watkins GL, Richmond JC, Ward CA, Clermont DA, Schmitt BA, Hichwa RD: Effect of acute marijuana on cardiovascular function and central nervous system pharmacokinetics of [(15)O]water: effect in occasional and chronic users. J Clin Pharmacol 2004 Jul; 44(7):751-66


  6. Block RI, Bates ME, Hall JA: Relation of premorbid cognitive abilities to substance users' problems at treatment intake and improvements with substance abuse treatment and case management. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2003 Sep 27


  7. O'Leary DS, Block RI, Turner BM, Koeppel J, Magnotta VA, Ponto LB, Watkins GL, Hichwa RD, Andreasen NC: Marijuana alters the human cerebellar clock. Neuroreport 2003 Jun 11; 14(8):1145-51


  8. Cretzmeyer M, Sarrazin MV, Huber DL, Block RI, Hall JA: Treatment of methamphetamine abuse: research findings and clinical directions. J Subst Abuse Treat 2003 Apr; 24(3):267-77


  9. Block RI, Erwin WJ, Ghoneim MM: Chronic drug use and cognitive impairments. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002 Aug 2


  10. O'Leary DS, Block RI, Koeppel JA, Flaum M, Schultz SK, Andreasen NC, Ponto LB, Watkins GL, Hurtig RR, Hichwa RD: Effects of smoking marijuana on brain perfusion and cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology 2002 Jun; 26(6):802-16


  11. Block RI, O'Leary DS, Hichwa RD, Augustinack JC, Boles Ponto LL, Ghoneim MM, Arndt S, Hurtig RR, Watkins GL, Hall JA, Nathan PE, Andreasen NC: Effects of frequent marijuana use on memory-related regional cerebral blood flow. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002 Mar 20


  12. O'Leary DS, Block RI, Flaum M, Schultz SK, Boles Ponto LL, Watkins GL, Hurtig RR, Andreasen NC, Hichwa RD: Acute marijuana effects on rCBF and cognition: a PET study. Neuroreport 2000 Nov 27; 11(17):3835-41


  13. Block RI, O'Leary DS, Hichwa RD, Augustinack JC, Ponto LL, Ghoneim MM, Arndt S, Ehrhardt JC, Hurtig RR, Watkins GL, Hall JA, Nathan PE, Andreasen NC: Cerebellar hypoactivity in frequent marijuana users. Neuroreport 2000 Mar 20


  14. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Dhanaraj VJ, Todd MM, Choi WW, Brown CK: Auditory evoked responses and learning and awareness during general anesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2000 Mar 1


  15. Block RI, O'Leary DS, Ehrhardt JC, Augustinack JC, Ghoneim MM, Arndt S, Hall JA: Effects of frequent marijuana use on brain tissue volume and composition. Neuroreport 2000 Feb 28


  16. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Sarasin DS, Davis CS, Marchman JN: Tape-recorded hypnosis instructions as adjuvant in the care of patients scheduled for third molar surgery. Anesth Analg 2000 Jan 7


  17. Hall JA, Vaughan MS, Vaughn T, Block R, Schut A: Iowa Case Management for rural drug abuse. Preliminary results. Care Manag J 1999 Autumn; 1(4):232-43


  18. Ghoneim MM, El-Zahaby HM, Block RI: Classical conditioning during nitrous oxide treatment: influence of varying the interstimulus interval. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1999 Mar 18


  19. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Dhanaraj VJ: Interaction of a subanaesthetic concentration of isoflurane with midazolam: effects on responsiveness, learning and memory. Br J Anaesth 1998 Aug 6


  20. Block RI, Erwin WJ, Farinpour R, Braverman K: Sedative, stimulant, and other subjective effects of marijuana: relationships to smoking techniques. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1998 Feb 26


  21. Ghoneim MM, Block RI: Learning and memory during general anesthesia: an update. Anesthesiology 1997 Aug 1


  22. Jensen NF, Block RI: Vasopressin levels in major head and neck surgery. Ear Nose Throat J 1997 Feb 1


  23. Sarasin DS, Ghoneim MM, Block RI: Effects of sedation with midazolam or propofol on cognition and psychomotor functions. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1996 Oct; 54(10):1187-93


  24. El-Zahaby HM, Ghoneim MM, Block RI: The interaction between nitrous oxide and isoflurane on suppression of learning: a study using classical conditioning in rabbits. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1996 Aug 1


  25. Block RI: Does heavy marijuana use impair human cognition and brain function? JAMA 1996 Feb 21; 275(7):560-1


  26. Chortkoff BS, Gonsowski CT, Bennett HL, Levinson B, Crankshaw DP, Dutton RC, Ionescu P, Block RI, Eger EI 2nd: Subanesthetic concentrations of desflurane and propofol suppress recall of emotionally charged information. Anesth Analg 1995 Oct; 81(4):728-36


  27. Jensen NF, Todd MM, Block RI, Hegtvedt RL, McCulloch TM: The efficacy of routine central venous monitoring in major head and neck surgery: a retrospective review. J Clin Anesth 1995 Mar 1


  28. Ghoneim MM, Chen P, el-Zahaby HM, Block RI: Ketamine: acquisition and retention of classically conditioned responses during treatment with large doses. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1994 Dec 1


  29. Block RI, Ghoneim MM: Insensitivity of implicit memory to anesthesia methods. Anesthesiology 1994 Aug; 81(2):516-7


  30. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Ping ST, el-Zahaby HM, Hinrichs JV: The interactions of midazolam and flumazenil on human memory and cognition. Anesthesiology 1993 Dec 1


  31. Ghoneim MM, Block RI: Depth of anesthesia. Learning during anesthesia. Int Anesthesiol Clin 1993 Jan 1


  32. Block RI, Ghoneim MM: Effects of chronic marijuana use on human cognition. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1993 Jan 1


  33. Block RI, Farinpour R, Braverman K: Acute effects of marijuana on cognition: relationships to chronic effects and smoking techniques. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1992 Nov 1


  34. Ghoneim MM, Block RI, Fowles DC: No evidence of classical conditioning of electrodermal responses during anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1992 May 1


  35. Ghoneim MM, Block RI: Learning and consciousness during general anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1992 Feb 1


  36. Block RI, Ghoneim MM, Sum Ping ST, Ali MA: Efficacy of therapeutic suggestions for improved postoperative recovery presented during general anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1991 Nov 1


  37. Block RI, Farinpour R, Schlechte JA: Effects of chronic marijuana use on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and cortisol in men and women. Drug Alcohol Depend 1991 Aug 1


  38. Block RI, Ghoneim MM, Sum Ping ST, Ali MA: Human learning during general anaesthesia and surgery. Br J Anaesth 1991 Feb 1


  39. Deptula D, Singh R, Goldsmith S, Block R, Bagne CA, Pomara N: Equivalence of five forms of the Selective Reminding Test in young and elderly subjects. Psychol Rep 1990 Dec; 67(3 Pt 2):


  40. Block RI, Ghoneim MM, Kumar V, Pathak D: Psychedelic effects of a subanesthetic concentration of nitrous oxide. Anesth Prog 1990 Nov 1


  41. Ghoneim MM, Ali MA, Block RI: Appraisal of the quality of assessment of memory in anesthesia and psychopharmacology literature. Anesthesiology 1990 Nov 1


  42. Ghoneim MM, Block RI: The word "awareness": its ambiguous and confusing use in anesthesia literature on memory. Anesthesiology 1990 Jul; 73(1):193


  43. Block RI, Farnham S, Braverman K, Noyes R, Ghoneim MM: Long-term marijuana use and subsequent effects on learning and cognitive functions related to school achievement: preliminary study. NIDA Res Monogr 1990 Jan 1


  44. Block RI, Farnham S, Braverman K, Hinrichs JV, Ghoneim MM: Norms for free associations and five types of constrained associations. Psychol Rep 1989 Jun; 64(3 Pt 2):1065-6


  45. Ghoneim MM, Dembo JB, Block RI: Time course of antagonism of sedative and amnesic effects of diazepam by flumazenil. Anesthesiology 1989 Jun 1


  46. Pomara N, Deptula D, Medel M, Block RI, Greenblatt DJ: Effects of diazepam on recall memory: relationship to aging, dose, and duration of treatment. Psychopharmacol Bull 1989; 25(1):


  47. Block RI, Ghoneim MM, Pathak D, Kumar V, Hinrichs JV: Effects of a subanesthetic concentration of nitrous oxide on overt and covert assessments of memory and associative processes. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1988 Jan 1


  48. Block RI, Ghoneim MM, Fowles DC, Kumar V, Pathak D: Effects of a subanesthetic concentration of nitrous oxide on establishment, elicitation, and semantic and phonemic generalization of classically conditioned skin conductance responses. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1987 Sep 1


  49. Block RI, Wittenborn JR: Marijuana effects on the speed of memory retrieval in the letter-matching task. Int J Addict 1986 Feb; 21(2):281-5


  50. Block RI, DeVoe M, Stanley B, Stanley M, Pomara N: Memory performance in individuals with primary degenerative dementia: its similarity to diazepam-induced impairments. Exp Aging Res 1985 Autumn-Winter; 11(3-4):


  51. Block RI, DeVoe M, Russell M, Pomara N: Clinical ratings: relationship to objective psychometric assessment in individuals with dementia. Psychol Rep 1985 Aug; 57(1):183-9


  52. Pomara N, Stanley B, Block R, Berchou RC, Stanley M, Greenblatt DJ, Newton RE, Gershon S: Increased sensitivity of the elderly to the central depressant effects of diazepam. J Clin Psychiatry 1985 May; 46(5):


  53. Block RI, Wittenborn JR: Marijuana effects on associative processes. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1985; 85(4):


  54. Pomara N, Stanley B, Block R, Guido J, Stanley M, Greenblatt DJ, Newton RE, Gershon S: Diazepam impairs performance in normal elderly subjects. Psychopharmacol Bull 1984 Winter; 20(1):


  55. Block RI, Wittenborn JR: Marijuana effects on semantic memory: verification of common and uncommon category members. Psychol Rep 1984 Oct; 55(2):


  56. Pomara N, Oxenkrug GF, McIntyre IM, Block R, Stanley M, Gershon S: Does severity of dementia modulate response to dexamethasone in individuals with primary degenerative dementia? Biol Psychiatry 1984 Oct; 19(10):


  57. Pomara N, Block R, Domino EF, Gershon S: Decay in plasma lithium and normalization in red blood cell choline following cessation of lithium treatment in two elderly individuals with Alzheimer-type dementia. Biol Psychiatry 1984 Jun; 19(6):


  58. Block RI, Wittenborn JR: Marijuana effects on visual imagery in a paired-associate task. Percept Mot Skills 1984 Jun; 58(3):


  59. Pomara N, Stanley B, Block R, Guido J, Russ D, Berchou R, Stanley M, Greenblatt DJ, Newton RE, Gershon S: Adverse effects of single therapeutic doses of diazepam on performance in normal geriatric subjects: relationship to plasma concentrations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1984; 84(3):


  60. Brinkman SD, Pomara N, Barnett N, Block R, Domino EF, Gershon S: Lithium-induced increases in red blood cell choline and memory performance in Alzheimer-type dementia. Biol Psychiatry 1984 Feb; 19(2):


  61. Block RI, Berchou R: Alprazolam and lorazepam effects on memory acquisition and retrieval processes. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1984 Feb; 20(2):


  62. Berchou R, Block RI: Use of computerized psychomotor testing in determining CNS effects of drugs. Percept Mot Skills 1983 Dec; 57(3 Pt 1):


  63. Pomara N, Banay-Schwartz M, Block R, Stanley M, Gershon S: Elevation of RBC glycine and choline levels in geriatric patients treated with lithium. Am J Psychiatry 1983 Jul; 140(7):


  64. Pomara N, Block R, Demetriou S, Fucek F, Stanley M, Gershon S: Attenuation of pilocarpine-induced hypothermia in response to chronic administration of choline. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1983; 80(2):
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