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Lin CW, Cheng MH, Fan CH, Chen HH, Yeh CK. Focused ultrasound stimulation of infralimbic cortex attenuates reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in rats. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00328. [PMID: 38355360 PMCID: PMC10937235 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) use disorder poses significant challenges to both the affected individuals and society. Current non-drug therapies like transcranial direct-current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation have limitations due to their invasive nature and limited reach to deeper brain areas. Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) is gaining attention as a noninvasive option with precise spatial targeting, able to affect deeper areas of the brain. This research focused on assessing the effectiveness of FUS in influencing the infralimbic cortex (IL) to prevent the recurrence of MA-seeking behavior, using the conditioned place preference (CPP) method in rats. The study involved twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuronal activation by FUS was first examined via electromyography (EMG). Rats received alternately with MA or saline, and confined to one of two distinctive compartments in a three compartment apparatus over a 4-day period. After CPP test, extinction, the first reinstatement, and extinction again, FUS was applied to IL prior to the second MA priming-induced reinstatement. Safety assessments were conducted through locomotor and histological function examinations. EMG data confirmed the effectiveness of FUS in activating neurons. Significant attenuation of reinstatement of MA CPP was found, along with successful targeting of the IL region, confirmed through acoustic field scanning, c-Fos immunohistochemistry, and Evans blue dye staining. No damage to brain tissue or impaired locomotor activity was observed. The results of the study indicate that applying FUS to the IL markedly reduced the recurrence of MA seeking behavior, without harming brain tissue or impairing motor skills. This suggests that FUS could be a promising method for treating MA use disorder, with the infralimbic cortex being an effective target for FUS in preventing MA relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hsuan Cheng
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Hsien Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Program for Aging, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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2
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Borrelli KN, Wingfield KK, Yao EJ, Zamorano CA, Sena KD, Beierle JA, Roos MA, Zhang H, Wachman EM, Bryant CD. Decreased myelin-related gene expression in the nucleus accumbens during spontaneous neonatal opioid withdrawal in the absence of long-term behavioral effects in adult outbred CFW mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 240:109732. [PMID: 37774943 PMCID: PMC10598517 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal opioid exposure is a major health concern in the United States, with the incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) escalating in recent years. NOWS occurs upon cessation of in utero opioid exposure and is characterized by increased irritability, disrupted sleep patterns, high-pitched crying, and dysregulated feeding. The main pharmacological strategy for alleviating symptoms is treatment with replacement opioids. The neural mechanisms mediating NOWS and the long-term neurobehavioral effects are poorly understood. We used a third trimester-approximate model in which neonatal outbred pups (Carworth Farms White; CFW) were administered once-daily morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) from postnatal day (P) day 1 through P14 and were then assessed for behavioral and transcriptomic adaptations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on P15. We also investigated the long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult learning and reward sensitivity. We observed significant weight deficits, spontaneous thermal hyperalgesia, and altered ultrasonic vocalization (USV) profiles following repeated morphine and during spontaneous withdrawal. Transcriptome analysis of NAc from opioid-withdrawn P15 neonates via bulk mRNA sequencing identified an enrichment profile consistent with downregulation of myelin-associated transcripts. Despite the neonatal behavioral and molecular effects, there were no significant long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult spatial memory function in the Barnes Maze, emotional learning in fear conditioning, or in baseline or methamphetamine-potentiated reward sensitivity as measured via intracranial self-stimulation. Thus, the once daily third trimester-approximate exposure regimen, while inducing NOWS model traits and significant transcriptomic effects in neonates, had no significant long-term effects on adult behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn N Borrelli
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Boston University's Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Kelly K Wingfield
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Emily J Yao
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Catalina A Zamorano
- Boston University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5th floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Katherine D Sena
- Boston University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5th floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jacob A Beierle
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Boston University's Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Michelle A Roos
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Elisha M Wachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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3
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Searles CT, Harder HJ, Vogt ME, Murphy AZ. Perigestational Opioid Exposure Alters Alcohol-Driven Reward Behaviors in Adolescent Rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.14.567041. [PMID: 38014019 PMCID: PMC10680700 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Every fifteen minutes, a baby is born in the U.S. experiencing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Since 2004, the rate of NOWS has increased 7-fold. Clinical studies have established intrauterine exposure to drugs of abuse as a risk factor for adverse health outcomes in adult life, including the propensity for future illicit drug use. Despite extensive knowledge about common mechanisms of action in the neural circuitry that drives opioid and alcohol reward, there is little data on the risks that those born with NOWS face regarding alcohol use later in life. Here, we investigate the impact of perigestational opioid exposure (POE) on the mesolimbic reward system of male and female Sprague Dawley rats at postnatal and adolescent ages. Our laboratory has developed a clinically relevant model for morphine exposure spanning pre-conception to the first week of life. Using this model, we found that POE increased alcohol consumption in female rats under noncontingent conditions, and inversely, reduced alcohol consumption in both male and female rats during operant conditioning sessions. Operant responding was also reduced for sucrose, suggesting that the impact of POE on reward-seeking behaviors is not limited to drugs of abuse. Expression of µ-opioid receptors was also significantly altered in the nucleus accumbens and medial habenula, regions previously shown to play a significant role in reward/aversion circuitry. Significance Statement Early life exposure to opioids is known to alter future drug behavior in rats. In the present study, female rats exposed to morphine via their mothers throughout and after pregnancy exhibited increased alcohol consumption when allowed to consume freely. During operant conditioning, however, male and female rats exposed to gestational morphine decreased consumption of alcohol as well as sucrose. We also observed that gestational morphine exposure altered µ-opioid receptor expression in reward-related brain regions. Our study provides the first evidence of changes in alcohol-directed reward behavior in a gestational opioid exposure rat model.
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4
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Borrelli KN, Wingfield KK, Yao EJ, Zamorano CA, Sena KD, Beierle JA, Roos MA, Zhang H, Wachman EM, Bryant CD. Decreased myelin-related gene expression in the nucleus accumbens during spontaneous neonatal opioid withdrawal in the absence of long-term behavioral effects in adult outbred CFW mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.552033. [PMID: 37609129 PMCID: PMC10441327 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.552033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal opioid exposure is a major health concern in the United States, with the incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) escalating in recent years. NOWS occurs upon cessation of in utero opioid exposure and is characterized by increased irritability, disrupted sleep patterns, high-pitched crying, and dysregulated feeding. The main pharmacological strategy for alleviating symptoms is treatment with replacement opioids. The neural mechanisms mediating NOWS and the long-term neurobehavioral effects are poorly understood. We used a third trimester-approximate model in which neonatal outbred pups (Carworth Farms White; CFW) were administered once-daily morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) from postnatal day (P) day 1 through P14 and were then assessed for behavioral and transcriptomic adaptations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on P15. We also investigated the long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult learning and reward sensitivity. We observed significant weight deficits, spontaneous thermal hyperalgesia, and altered ultrasonic vocalization (USV) profiles following repeated morphine and during spontaneous withdrawal. Transcriptome analysis of NAc from opioid-withdrawn P15 neonates via bulk mRNA sequencing identified an enrichment profile consistent with downregulation of myelin-associated transcripts. Despite the neonatal behavioral and molecular effects, there were no significant long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult spatial memory function in the Barnes Maze, emotional learning in fear conditioning, or in baseline or methamphetamine-potentiated reward sensitivity as measured via intracranial self-stimulation. Thus, the once daily third trimester-approximate exposure regimen, while inducing NOWS model traits and significant transcriptomic effects in neonates, had no significant long-term effects on adult behaviors. HIGHLIGHTS We replicated some NOWS model traits via 1x-daily morphine (P1-P14).We found a downregulation of myelination genes in nucleus accumbens on P15.There were no effects on learning/memory or reward sensitivity in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn N. Borrelli
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA 02215
- Boston University’s Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Kelly K. Wingfield
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Emily J. Yao
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Catalina A. Zamorano
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Katherine D. Sena
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jacob A. Beierle
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
- Boston University’s Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Michelle A. Roos
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118
| | - Elisha M. Wachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Camron D. Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118
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5
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Harder HJ, Searles CT, Vogt ME, Murphy AZ. Perinatal opioid exposure leads to decreased social play in adolescent male and female rats: Potential role of oxytocin signaling in brain regions associated with social reward. Horm Behav 2023; 153:105384. [PMID: 37295323 PMCID: PMC10330883 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the number of infants exposed to opioids in utero has quadrupled in the United States, with some states reporting rates as high as 55 infants per 1000 births. Clinical studies report that children previously exposed to opioids during gestation show significant deficits in social behavior, including an inability to form friendships or other social relationships. To date, the neural mechanisms whereby developmental opioid exposure disrupts social behavior remain unknown. Using a novel paradigm of perinatal opioid administration, we tested the hypothesis that chronic opioid exposure during critical developmental periods would disrupt juvenile play. As oxytocin is a major regulator of sociability, the impact of perinatal morphine exposure on oxytocin peptide expression was also examined. Juvenile play was assessed in vehicle- or morphine-exposed male and female rats at P25, P35, and P45. Classical features of juvenile play were measured, including time spent engaged in social play, time not in contact, number of pins, and number of nape attacks. We report that morphine-exposed males and females spend less time engaged in play behavior than control males and females, with a corresponding increase in time spent alone. Morphine-exposed males and females also initiated fewer pins and nape attacks. Together, these data suggest that male and female rats exposed to morphine during critical developmental periods are less motivated to participate in social play, potentially due to alterations in oxytocin-mediated reward signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Harder
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, United States of America
| | - Christopher T Searles
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, United States of America
| | - Meghan E Vogt
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, United States of America
| | - Anne Z Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, United States of America.
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6
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Harder HJ, Searles CT, Vogt ME, Murphy AZ. Perinatal Opioid Exposure Leads to Decreased Social Play in Adolescent Male and Female Rats: Potential Role of Oxytocin Signaling in Brain Regions Associated with Social Reward. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.10.532122. [PMID: 36945450 PMCID: PMC10028981 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.10.532122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the number of infants exposed to opioids in utero has quadrupled in the United States, with some states reporting rates as high as 55 infants per 1000 births. Clinical studies report that children previously exposed to opioids during gestation show significant deficits in social behavior, including an inability to form friendships or other social relationships. To date, the neural mechanisms whereby developmental opioid exposure disrupts social behavior remain unknown. Using a novel paradigm of perinatal opioid administration, we tested the hypothesis that chronic opioid exposure during critical developmental periods would disrupt juvenile play. As oxytocin is a major regulator of sociability, the impact of perinatal morphine exposure on oxytocin peptide and receptor expression was also examined. Juvenile play was assessed in vehicle- or morphine-exposed male and female rats at P25, P35, and P45. Classical features of juvenile play were measured, including time spent engaged in social play, time not in contact, number of pins, and number of nape attacks. We report that morphine-exposed females spend less time engaged in play behavior than control males and females, with a corresponding increase in time spent alone. Morphine-exposed females also initiated fewer pins and nape attacks. Oxytocin receptor binding was reduced in morphine-exposed females in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region critical for social reward. Together, these data suggest that females exposed to morphine during critical developmental periods are less motivated to participate in social play, potentially due to alterations in oxytocin-mediated reward signaling.
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7
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Simmons SC, Grecco GG, Atwood BK, Nugent FS. Effects of prenatal opioid exposure on synaptic adaptations and behaviors across development. Neuropharmacology 2023; 222:109312. [PMID: 36334764 PMCID: PMC10314127 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on prenatal opioid exposure (POE) given the significant concern for the mental health outcomes of children with parents affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) in the view of the current opioid crisis. We highlight some of the less explored interactions between developmental age and sex on synaptic plasticity and associated behavioral outcomes in preclinical POE research. We begin with an overview of the rich literature on hippocampal related behaviors and plasticity across POE exposure paradigms. We then discuss recent work on reward circuit dysregulation following POE. Additional risk factors such as early life stress (ELS) could further influence synaptic and behavioral outcomes of POE. Therefore, we include an overview on the use of preclinical ELS models where ELS exposure during key critical developmental periods confers considerable vulnerability to addiction and stress psychopathology. Here, we hope to highlight the similarity between POE and ELS on development and maintenance of opioid-induced plasticity and altered opioid-related behaviors where similar enduring plasticity in reward circuits may occur. We conclude the review with some of the limitations that should be considered in future investigations. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Opioid-induced addiction'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Simmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Greg G Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fereshteh S Nugent
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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8
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Smith CJ, Lintz T, Clark MJ, Malacon KE, Abiad A, Constantino NJ, Kim VJ, Jo YC, Alonso-Caraballo Y, Bilbo SD, Chartoff EH. Prenatal opioid exposure inhibits microglial sculpting of the dopamine system selectively in adolescent male offspring. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1755-1763. [PMID: 35835992 PMCID: PMC9372181 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01376-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The current opioid epidemic has dramatically increased the number of children who are prenatally exposed to opioids, including oxycodone. A number of social and cognitive abnormalities have been documented in these children as they reach young adulthood. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying developmental effects of prenatal opioid exposure. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, respond to acute opioid exposure in adulthood. Moreover, microglia are known to sculpt neural circuits during typical development. Indeed, we recently found that microglial phagocytosis of dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is required for the natural developmental decline in NAc-D1R that occurs between adolescence and adulthood in rats. This microglial pruning occurs only in males, and is required for the normal developmental trajectory of social play behavior. However, virtually nothing is known as to whether this developmental program is altered by prenatal exposure to opioids. Here, we show in rats that maternal oxycodone self-administration during pregnancy leads to reduced adolescent microglial phagocytosis of D1R and subsequently higher D1R density within the NAc in adult male, but not female, offspring. Finally, we show prenatal and adult behavioral deficits in opioid-exposed offspring, including impaired extinction of oxycodone-conditioned place preference in males. This work demonstrates for the first time that microglia play a key role in translating prenatal opioid exposure to changes in neural systems and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J Smith
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Tania Lintz
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Basic Neuroscience Division, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Madeline J Clark
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karen E Malacon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alia Abiad
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Basic Neuroscience Division, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Basic Neuroscience Division, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Veronica J Kim
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Young C Jo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yanaira Alonso-Caraballo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Basic Neuroscience Division, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Staci D Bilbo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Elena H Chartoff
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Basic Neuroscience Division, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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9
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Interactions between opioids and stimulants: Behavioral pharmacology of abuse-related effects. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2022; 93:1-33. [PMID: 35341563 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Opioid abuse continues to be a significant public health challenge, with rates of opioid-related overdose deaths increasing continuously over the last two decades. There also has been a sharp increase in overdose deaths involving stimulant drugs, primarily cocaine and methamphetamine. Recent estimates indicate a high prevalence of co-use of opioids and stimulants, which is a particularly complex problem. Behavioral pharmacology research over the last few decades has characterized interactions between opioids and stimulants as well as evaluated potential treatments. This chapter describes interactions between opioids and stimulants, with a focus on pre-clinical studies of abuse-related behavioral effects using self-administration, reinstatement, drug discrimination, place conditioning, and intracranial self-stimulation paradigms in laboratory animals. In general, the literature provides substantial evidence of mutual enhancement between opioids and stimulants for abuse-related effects, although such results are not ubiquitous. Enhanced abuse-related effects could manifest in many ways including engaging in drug seeking and taking behaviors with greater persistence, effort, and motivation and/or increased likelihood of relapse. Moreover, studies on opioid/stimulant combinations set the stage for evaluating potential treatments for polysubstance use. Behavioral pharmacology research has proven invaluable for elucidating these relationships using rigorous experimental designs and quantitative analyses of pharmacological and behavioral data.
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10
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Vassoler FM, Wimmer ME. Consequences of Parental Opioid Exposure on Neurophysiology, Behavior, and Health in the Next Generations. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:a040436. [PMID: 32601130 PMCID: PMC8485740 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Substance abuse and the ongoing opioid epidemic represents a large societal burden. This review will consider the long-term impact of opioid exposure on future generations. Prenatal, perinatal, and preconception exposure are reviewed with discussion of both maternal and paternal influences. Opioid exposure can have long-lasting effects on reproductive function, gametogenesis, and germline epigenetic programming, which can influence embryogenesis and alter the developmental trajectory of progeny. The potential mechanisms by which preconception maternal and paternal opioid exposure produce deleterious consequences on the health, behavior, and physiology of offspring that have been identified by clinical and animal studies will be discussed. The timing, nature, dosing, and duration of prenatal opioid exposure combined with other important environmental considerations influence the extent to which these manipulations affect parents and their progeny. Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of environmental insults across generations via mechanisms independent of the DNA sequence. This topic will be further explored in the context of prenatal, perinatal, and preconception opioid exposure for both the maternal and paternal lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fair M Vassoler
- Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
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11
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Yazdanfar N, Farnam A, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Mahmoudi J, Sarkaki A. Enriched environment and social isolation differentially modulate addiction-related behaviors in male offspring of morphine-addicted dams: The possible role of μ-opioid receptors and ΔFosB in the brain reward pathway. Brain Res Bull 2021; 170:98-105. [PMID: 33592274 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal opioids exposure negatively affects the neurobehavioral abilities of children born from dependence dams. Adolescent housing conditions can buffer the detrimental impacts of early life experiences or contradictory can worsen individual psychosocial functions. The present study investigated the effects of maternal morphine dependence and different rearing conditions on behaviors and protein expression in brain reward circuits of male pups. Female Wistar rats a week before conception, during pregnancy and lactation were injected twice daily with escalating doses of morphine or saline. On a postnatal day 21, male pups were weaned and subjected to three different environments for two months: standard (STD), isolated (ISO), or enriched environment (EE). The anxiety and drug-related reward were measured using elevated plus maze, open field test, and conditioned place preference. Western blotting was used to determine the protein level of ΔFosB and μ-opioid receptor proteins in the striatum and the midbrain of male offspring, respectively. Results showed that maternal morphine administration dramatically increased anxiety-like and morphine place preference behaviors in offspring. Also, ISO condition aggravated these behavioral outcomes. While, rearing in EE could attenuate anxiety and morphine conditioning in pups. At molecular levels, maternal morphine exposure and social isolation markedly increased both of ΔFosB and μ-opioid receptor proteins expression. However, rearing in the EE declined ΔFosB protein expression. Together, these findings help to elucidate long lasting impacts of early life morphine exposure and rearing environment on the behavioral and molecular profile of addicted individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Yazdanfar
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Alireza Farnam
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Mahmoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Alireza Sarkaki
- The Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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12
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Prenatal opioid exposure and vulnerability to future substance use disorders in offspring. Exp Neurol 2021; 339:113621. [PMID: 33516730 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The heightened incidence of opioid use during pregnancy has resulted in unprecedented rates of neonates prenatally exposed to opioids. Prenatal opioid exposure (POE) results in significantly adverse medical, developmental, and behavioral outcomes in offspring. Of growing interest is whether POE contributes to future vulnerability to substance use disorders. The effects of POE on brain development is difficult to assess in humans, as the timing, dose, and route of drug exposure together with complex genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to addiction. Preclinical models of POE have allowed us to avoid methodological difficulties and confounding factors of POE in humans. Here, we review the effects of maternal opioid exposure on the developing brain with an emphasis on the neurobiological basis of drug addiction and on preclinical models of POE and their limitations. These studies have indicated that POE increases self-administration of drugs, reward-driven behaviors in the conditioned place paradigm, and locomotor sensitization. While addiction is multifaceted and vulnerability to drug addiction is still inconclusive in human studies of prenatally exposed infants, animal studies do provide a noteworthy corroboration of negative behavioral outcomes.
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Prenatal Opioid Exposure Enhances Responsiveness to Future Drug Reward and Alters Sensitivity to Pain: A Review of Preclinical Models and Contributing Mechanisms. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0393-20.2020. [PMID: 33060181 PMCID: PMC7768284 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0393-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid crisis has resulted in an unprecedented number of neonates born with prenatal opioid exposure (POE); however, the long-term effects of POE on offspring behavior and neurodevelopment remain relatively unknown. The advantages and disadvantages of the various preclinical POE models developed over the last several decades are discussed in the context of clinical and translational relevance. Although considerable and important variability exists among preclinical models of POE, the examination of these preclinical models has revealed that opioid exposure during the prenatal period contributes to maladaptive behavioral development as offspring mature including an altered responsiveness to rewarding drugs and increased pain response. The present review summarizes key findings demonstrating the impact of POE on offspring drug self-administration (SA), drug consumption, the reinforcing properties of drugs, drug tolerance, and other reward-related behaviors such as hypersensitivity to pain. Potential underlying molecular mechanisms which may contribute to this enhanced addictive phenotype in POE offspring are further discussed with special attention given to key brain regions associated with reward including the striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), hippocampus, and amygdala. Improvements in preclinical models and further areas of study are also identified which may advance the translational value of findings and help address the growing problem of POE in clinical populations.
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14
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Parental morphine exposure enhances morphine (but not methamphetamine) preference and increases monoamine oxidase-B level in the nucleus accumbens. Behav Pharmacol 2019; 30:435-445. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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The role of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in modulation of spatial memory in morphine sensitized rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 359:298-303. [PMID: 30428335 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that drug addiction and memory system are related but the signaling cascades underlying this interaction is not completely revealed yet. It has been demonstrated that binding of Calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) to NMDA receptor is important in the memory process. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the role of CaMKII on the spatial memory of rats which previously were sensitized by morphine. The effect of CaMKII inhibitor (KN-93) on memory changes was investigated by hippocampal microinjection of KN-93 on the morphine-sensitized rats. Also, the role of the NMDA receptor in memory retention by KN-93 on the morphine sensitized rat was investigated with NMDA agonist and antagonist. Sensitization was induced by morphine injection (once daily for 3 days) followed by 5 days free of the drug before the trial phase. For the evaluation of spatial memory, the Morris Water Maze test (MWM) was used. Results showed that pre-trial administration of morphine, induced amnesia in MWM (p < 0.05). Also, three days pretreatment with morphine (20 mg/kg) followed by five days washout period, caused to enhance memory retrieval in confront with a pre-trial challenging dose of morphine (5 mg/kg). In addition, KN-93 administration during induction phase in morphine sensitization phenomena facilitated morphine-induced memory retention. In addition, inhibition of the NMDA receptor and KN-93 during the induction phase did not improve memory. However; intra-CA1 co-administration of KN-93 and NMDA during the induction phase of morphine sensitization resulted in improving spatial memory. It can be concluded that the effect of CaMKII on memory retention in morphine-sensitized rats depends on NMDA receptor.
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16
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Byrnes EM, Vassoler FM. Modeling prenatal opioid exposure in animals: Current findings and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:1-13. [PMID: 28965857 PMCID: PMC5649358 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen a drastic rise in the number of infants exposed to opioids in utero. It is unclear what lasting effect this exposure may have on these children. Animal models of prenatal opioid exposure may provide insight into potential areas of vulnerability. The present review summarizes the findings across animal models of prenatal opioid exposure, including exposure to morphine, methadone, buprenorphine, and oxycodone. Details regarding the drug, doses, and duration of treatment, as well as key findings, are summarized in tables with associated references. Finally, significant gaps in the current preclinical literature and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Byrnes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States.
| | - Fair M Vassoler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States
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Vousooghi N, Sadat‐Shirazi M, Safavi P, Zeraati R, Akbarabadi A, Makki SM, Nazari S, Zarrindast MR. Adult rat morphine exposure changes morphine preference, anxiety, and the brain expression of dopamine receptors in male offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 69:49-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of NeuroscienceSchool of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mitra‐Sadat Sadat‐Shirazi
- Department of NeuroscienceSchool of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Payam Safavi
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ramin Zeraati
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ardeshir Akbarabadi
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Veterinary MedicineGarmsar Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityGarmsarIran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Makki
- Department of PsychiatrySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Shahrzad Nazari
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, School of Cognitive SciencesTehranIran
- Institute for Cognitive Science StudiesTehranIran
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18
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-ninth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2016 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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19
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Akbarabadi A, Niknamfar S, Vousooghi N, Sadat-Shirazi MS, Toolee H, Zarrindast MR. Effect of rat parental morphine exposure on passive avoidance memory and morphine conditioned place preference in male offspring. Physiol Behav 2018; 184:143-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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