Dr. Ryan Sultan - Research Publications

411+ Scholarly References | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Psychiatry | Pediatrics | Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

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• 411+ Total Citations (Google Scholar)
• H-Index: 15+ highly-cited papers
• i10-Index: 20+ papers with 10+ references each
• Landmark Paper: 411 scholarly references for JAMA 2019 ADHD study

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Recent Publications (2025-2026)

Cannabis Use Among U.S. Adolescents

Cannabis Use Among U.S. Adolescents: Patterns, Risk Factors, and Mental Health Correlates
Sultan RS, Zhang AW, Becker TD, Levin FR, Wilens TE, Levy S, Simon NM, Sethaputra A, Huang KY, Levy SJ.
Pediatrics. 2026.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-070509

This study examines cannabis use patterns among U.S. adolescents, including youth who use cannabis without meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder. The analysis extends Dr. Sultan's prior JAMA Network Open work on nondisordered cannabis use, revealing the scope and mental health consequences of subthreshold cannabis use in 2.5 million American teens.

Protective Effects of ADHD Medication -- Diminishing Returns as Treatment Broadens

Protective Effects of ADHD Medication -- Diminishing Returns as Treatment Broadens
Sultan RS, Saunders DC, Veenstra-VanderWeele J.
JAMA Psychiatry. 2025.
Invited Editorial

Editorial examining a large Swedish self-controlled case series study of 247,420 individuals with ADHD from 2006 to 2020. Analyzes the finding that ADHD medications are associated with 30-50% lower rates of self-harm, accidental injuries, traffic accidents, and criminal arrests -- but that protective associations attenuate as prescribing broadens to individuals with milder impairment. Argues that the purpose of ADHD treatment extends beyond preventing extreme adverse outcomes to improving daily functioning and quality of life.

Labeling of Cannabis Products from Licensed and Unlicensed Retailers

Labeling of Cannabis Products from Licensed and Unlicensed Retailers in New York City
Becker TD, Menzi P, Sultan RS.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2025.
Part of the CASNY Study

Analysis of 88 cannabis products from licensed and unlicensed NYC retailers. Found that unlicensed products were less likely to include essential consumer information (THC potency, standard dose, expiration date), safety warnings ("Keep Away from Children," poison control), and more likely to feature child-oriented packaging elements. Part of the CASNY multi-phase study.

JAMA Cardiology 2025

Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated with Psychiatric Medication Use
Mohammadi A, et al. (Sultan RS, contributing author).
JAMA Cardiology. 2025.
Supplement

Contributing research examining cardiovascular outcomes associated with psychiatric medication use, extending Dr. Sultan's pharmacoepidemiological work into cardiovascular safety considerations.

Selected Publications

Landmark ADHD Research (411+ References)

Antipsychotic Treatment Among Youths With ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Sultan RS, Wang S, Crystal S, Olfson M.
JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(7):e197850.
411+ scholarly impact | DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.7850

Impact: Established foundational evidence for ADHD prescribing practices. Required reading in residency programs nationwide. Found that among 187,563 youth with new ADHD diagnoses, only 52.7% of those prescribed antipsychotics had an FDA-approved indication, and less than half had received stimulant medication first.

Cannabis Access by Retailer Type in New York City

Cannabis Access by Retailer Type in New York City
Becker T, Olfson M, Menzi P, Levin F, Hasin D, Nuckolls C, Sultan RS.
Pediatrics. 2025.
Part of the CASNY Study

Secret shopper study of 37 cannabis outlets across NYC. All licensed dispensaries verified customer age (100%) vs. only 10% of unlicensed outlets. Unlicensed retailers sold cheaper products, used youth-friendly marketing, and operated alongside candy and energy drink sales.

Nondisordered Cannabis Use Among U.S. Adolescents

Nondisordered Cannabis Use Among U.S. Adolescents
Sultan RS, Zhang AW, Becker TD, et al.
JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(4):e236397.
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6397

Groundbreaking study revealing 2.5 million U.S. adolescents use cannabis without meeting diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder. These "nondisordered" users face 2x higher depression, 2x higher suicidal ideation, and 4x higher arrest rates compared to non-using peers.

Cannabis Research (NIH-Funded)

Nondisordered Cannabis Use Among US Adolescents
Sultan RS, Zhang AW, Becker TD, et al.
Pediatrics. 2026.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-070509

Impact: Revealed 2.5 million at-risk adolescents, expanding screening guidelines.

Clozapine Policy Research

Evaluating the Effect of Changes in FDA Guidelines for Clozapine Monitoring
Sultan RS, Olfson M, Correll CU, Duncan EJ.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2017;78(9).
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.16m11152

Impact: Contributed to FDA policy changes dismantling restrictive REMS requirements for clozapine, potentially increasing access to this uniquely effective medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Adolescents with ADHD: Adverse Behaviors and Comorbidity

Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Adverse Behaviors and Comorbidity
Sultan RS, Liu SM, Hacker KA, Olfson M.
Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021;68(2):284-291.

Using the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), examined 6,483 youth ages 14-18. Found significantly elevated risks for suicide attempts (aOR 2.9), physical aggression (aOR 2.3), and school expulsion/job termination (aOR 3.3) among adolescents with ADHD.

Neuroscience-Based Nomenclature in Pediatric Psychopharmacology

Moving to Neuroscience-Based Nomenclature in Pediatric Psychopharmacology
Sultan RS, Correll CU, Schoenbaum M, King M, Walkup JT, Olfson M.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2018;57(3):151-154.

National Patterns of Commonly Prescribed Psychotropic Medications to Young People

National Patterns of Commonly Prescribed Psychotropic Medications to Young People
Sultan RS, Correll CU, Schoenbaum M, King M, Walkup JT, Olfson M.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2018;28(3):158-165.

View complete publication list (40+ papers)