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Madurai NK, Jantzie LL, Yen E. Sex differences in neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1357970. [PMID: 38577634 PMCID: PMC10991792 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1357970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of the opioid epidemic on pregnant people and children is a growing public health crisis. Understanding how opioids affect the developing brain during pregnancy and postnatally remains a critical area of investigation. Biological sex plays a crucial role in all physiologic processes, with the potential for a significant impact on neonatal outcomes, including those infants with opioid exposure. Here, we aim to explore current literature on the effect of sex on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Sex differences in adults with opioid use disorder have been well studied, including increased mortality among males and higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities and likelihood of relapse in females. However, such differences are not yet well understood in neonates. Emerging clinical data suggest sex-specific effects in infants with prenatal opioid exposure on the expression of genes related to feeding regulation and reward signaling pathways. Increased susceptibility to white matter injury has also been noted in female infants following prenatal opioid exposure. Understanding the impact of sex as a biological variable on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure is paramount to improving the health and well-being of infants, children, and adults impacted by the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nethra K. Madurai
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lauren L. Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth Yen
- Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI), Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Tufts Medicine Pediatrics-Boston Children's, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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Grecco GG, Huang JY, Muñoz B, Doud EH, Hines CD, Gao Y, Rodriguez B, Mosley AL, Lu HC, Atwood BK. Sex-Dependent Synaptic Remodeling of the Somatosensory Cortex in Mice With Prenatal Methadone Exposure. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2022; 2:10400. [PMID: 37829495 PMCID: PMC10569410 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Rising opioid use among pregnant women has led to a growing population of neonates exposed to opioids during the prenatal period, but how opioids affect the developing brain remains to be fully understood. Animal models of prenatal opioid exposure have discovered deficits in somatosensory behavioral development that persist into adolescence suggesting opioid exposure induces long lasting neuroadaptations on somatosensory circuitry such as the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Using a mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME) that displays delays in somatosensory milestone development, we performed an un-biased multi-omics analysis and investigated synaptic functioning in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), where touch and pain sensory inputs are received in the brain, of early adolescent PME offspring. PME was associated with numerous changes in protein and phosphopeptide abundances that differed considerably between sexes in the S1. Although prominent sex effects were discovered in the multi-omics assessment, functional enrichment analyses revealed the protein and phosphopeptide differences were associated with synapse-related cellular components and synaptic signaling-related biological processes, regardless of sex. Immunohistochemical analysis identified diminished GABAergic synapses in both layer 2/3 and 4 of PME offspring. These immunohistochemical and proteomic alterations were associated with functional consequences as layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons revealed reduced amplitudes and a lengthened decay constant of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Lastly, in addition to reduced cortical thickness of the S1, cell-type marker analysis revealed reduced microglia density in the upper layer of the S1 that was primarily driven by PME females. Taken together, our studies show the lasting changes on synaptic function and microglia in S1 cortex caused by PME in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G. Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jui Yen Huang
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Program in Neuroscience and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Braulio Muñoz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Emma H. Doud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Caliel D. Hines
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Yong Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brooke Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Amber L. Mosley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Program in Neuroscience and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Brady K. Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Sithisarn T, Legan SJ, Westgate PM, Bada HS, Wilson ME. Understanding the effects of opioids vs non-opioids in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, an in vitro model. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1068330. [PMID: 36483468 PMCID: PMC9723166 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1068330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to cadre of withdrawal manifestations in infants born to mothers who used illicit and licit substances during pregnancy. The increasing prevalence of NAS has been largely due to the maternal use of opioids during pregnancy. NAS contributes to increased morbidity and long-term disability in surviving infants. Clinically, oral opioid therapies for opioid exposure have been a standard treatment with morphine (MO) being the most commonly used medication. Recently, a non-opioid agent, clonidine (CD) has also been used with potentially favorable short- and long-term outcomes in infants. However, data regarding the cellular and molecular effects of these treatments on the developing brain is still lacking due to a lack of a reliable animal model that targets the neonatal brain. To address this gap in knowledge we determined the effects of MO or CD on the cell death of neonatal cortical explant cultures that were exposed to oxycodone (OXY) in utero. Sprague Dawley rats were randomized and implanted with programmable infusion pumps before mating to receive either the OXY (dose increasing from 1.21-1.90 mg/kg/day to a maximum dose of 2.86-3.49 mg/kg/day) or normal saline (NS) throughout pregnancy and until one week after delivery. Male and female rat pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 4, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) were dissected and treated with MO (0.10-1.00 µM) or CD (1.20-120.00 µM) in culture media. After 5 days of treatment the explants were labeled with propidium iodide to detect cell death. Dead cells were analyzed and counted under fluorescence microscopy. In explants from the PFC, cell death was greater in those prenatally exposed to OXY and postnatally treated with MO (OXY/MO) (736.8 ± 76.5) compared to OXY/CD (620.9 ± 75.0; p = 0.005). In the HC explants, mean cell death counts were not significantly different between groups regardless of prenatal exposure or postnatal treatment (p = 0.19). The PFC is vital in controlling higher-order executive functions such as behavioral flexibility, learning and working memory. Therefore, our finding is consistent with executive function problems in children with prenatal opioid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Sandra J Legan
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Henrietta S Bada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Melinda E Wilson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
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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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Alaee E, Moazen P, Pattij T, Semnanian S, Azizi H. Prenatal exposure to morphine impairs attention and impulsivity in adult rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2729-2741. [PMID: 34405254 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE An alarming number of neonates born with prenatal exposure to morphine has resulted from the opioid epidemic; however, the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure on offspring behavior remain relatively unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether prenatal exposure to the mu opioid receptor agonist, morphine, has enduring effects on cognitive functions in adult life. METHODS On embryonic days 11-18 (E11-E18), female pregnant rats were injected subcutaneously with either morphine or saline twice daily. Adult male offspring that was prenatally exposed to saline or morphine was trained in the 5-choice serial reaction time test (5-CSRTT) to test their cognitive abilities under baseline conditions. Next, these rats were treated with saline (1 ml/kg), naloxone (1 mg/kg), and acute morphine (1, 3, 5 mg/kg), subcutaneously, once daily and following drug challenges rats were tested in the 5-CSRTT. Meanwhile, behavioral performance on training days between opioid drug challenges were analyzed to monitor possible drug-induced shifts in baseline performance. As a final experiment in order to investigate subchronic exposure to morphine, rats were injected with 5 mg/kg morphine for 5 days and then naloxone in the last day of the experiment (day 6). RESULTS Firstly, during acquisition of a stable baseline in the training phase, rats prenatally exposed to morphine showed delayed learning of the task demands. Furthermore, under baseline responding the rats prenatally exposed to morphine showed declined inhibitory control demonstrated by increased impulsive and compulsive-like responding compared to rats prenatally exposed to saline. Moreover, acute and subchronic morphine challenges in the rats prenatally exposed to morphine caused a deficit in visuospatial attention in comparison with saline treatment as well as the rats prenatally exposed to saline. These effects were abolished by naloxone. CONCLUSION The current findings indicate a direct causal effect of prenatal morphine exposure on inhibitory control and task learning later in life, as well as deficits in attention following morphine exposure in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Alaee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Moazen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tommy Pattij
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saeed Semnanian
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. .,Institute for Brain Sciences and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Jaekel J, Kim HM, Lee SJ, Schwartz A, Henderson JMT, Woodward LJ. Emotional and Behavioral Trajectories of 2 to 9 Years Old Children Born to Opioid-Dependent Mothers. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2021; 49:443-457. [PMID: 33433780 PMCID: PMC7943531 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00766-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Maternal opioid use in pregnancy has increased dramatically. Knowledge about children's longer-term emotional and behavioral development after prenatal opioid exposure is scarce. A regional sample of 89 opioid-exposed and 104 non-exposed comparison children were studied prospectively at ages 2, 4.5, and 9 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by primary caregivers. Across all childhood assessments, opioid-exposed children obtained significantly higher total difficulties scores than non-exposed comparison children. Growth curve modeling revealed that, relative to their same age peers, opioid-exposed children's emotional and behavioral difficulties significantly worsened over time. Moreover, fixed effects estimates showed that total difficulties trajectories were poorer for children subject to higher prenatal risk (Est = 1.78, 95% CI = [0.46, 3.09]) who were born to mothers with high levels of social adversity (1.11 [0.51, 1.71]), and were then raised in families characterized by high levels of psychosocial risk (1.94 [0.90, 2.98]) and unstable caregiving (1.91 [0.33, 3.48]). A complex set of pre- and postnatal processes contribute to opioid-exposed children's emotional and behavioral development. Efforts to mitigate the long-term consequences of opioid use in pregnancy need to consider both children's and their caregivers' biopsychosocial risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jaekel
- Department of Child & Family Studies, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, USA. .,Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, USA. .,Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - Hyun M Kim
- School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Samantha J Lee
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Ashlyn Schwartz
- Department of Public Health, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, USA
| | | | - Lianne J Woodward
- School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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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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Sithisarn T, Legan SJ, Westgate PM, Wilson M, Wellmann K, Bada HS, Barron S. The Effects of Perinatal Oxycodone Exposure on Behavioral Outcome in a Rodent Model. Front Pediatr 2017; 5:180. [PMID: 28971091 PMCID: PMC5609564 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Opiate addiction is now a major public health problem. Perinatal insults and exposure to opiates such as morphine in utero are well known to affect development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the offspring adversely and are associated with a higher risk of developing neurobehavioral problems. Oxycodone is now one of the most frequently abused pain killers during pregnancy; however, limited data are available regarding whether and how perinatal oxycodone exposure (POE) alters neurobehavioral outcomes of the offspring. We demonstrated that exposure to 0.5 mg/kg/day oxycodone in utero was associated with hyperactivity in adult rats in an open field. No significant effects of POE were detected on isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the early postnatal period or on learning and memory in the water maze in adult offspring. Our findings are consistent with hyperactivity problems identified in children exposed to opiates in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sandra J Legan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Melinda Wilson
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Kristen Wellmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Henrietta S Bada
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Susan Barron
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Collins D, Reed B, Zhang Y, Kreek MJ. Sex differences in responsiveness to the prescription opioid oxycodone in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 148:99-105. [PMID: 27316549 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Over-prescription and increased nonmedical use of oxycodone has become a major concern. Despite its increased use, preclinical data concerning oxycodone's effects are still limited, especially in rodent models. To address this, we examined oxycodone's effects on place preference, locomotor activation, corticosterone levels, and thermal analgesia across a range of doses (between 0.3 and 10mg/kg) in gonadally intact, adult male and female C57BL/6J mice. Males and females showed oxycodone-induced conditioned place preference and did not show significant between-sex differences in their place preference behavior. During both CPP conditioning sessions and open field assay, locomotor activity was increased by 1, 3, and 10mg/kg oxycodone in females and by 3 and 10mg/kg oxycodone in males. Plasma corticosterone levels were higher in females (compared to males) at baseline as well as following acute oxycodone injection and open field testing. The time course of oxycodone-induced analgesia was similar in males and females, however the total antinociceptive effect (AUC0-120min) was larger in males compared to females at the highest dose tested (10mg/kg). Taken together, these data suggest that male and female mice are modestly different in their responses to oxycodone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Collins
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Brian Reed
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Yong Zhang
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
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Bada HS, Sithisarn T, Gibson J, Garlitz K, Caldwell R, Capilouto G, Li Y, Leggas M, Breheny P. Morphine versus clonidine for neonatal abstinence syndrome. Pediatrics 2015; 135:e383-91. [PMID: 25624389 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study goal was to determine whether clonidine treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) would result in a better neurobehavioral performance compared with morphine. METHODS This pilot study prospectively enrolled infants ≥ 35 weeks' gestational age admitted for treatment of NAS. After informed consent was obtained, infants were randomized to receive morphine (0.4 mg/kg per day) or clonidine (5 μg/kg per day) divided into 8 doses. A 25% dose escalation every 24 hours was possible per protocol (maximum of 1 mg/kg per day for morphine and 12 μg/kg per day for clonidine). After control of symptoms, the dose was tapered by 10% every other day. Clinical staff monitored infants by using Finnegan scoring. Masked research staff administered the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) at 1 week and at 2 to 4 weeks after initiation of treatment and the Bayley Scales III, and Preschool Language Scale IV, at 1-year adjusted age. Analyses included descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS Infants treated with morphine (n = 15) versus clonidine (n = 16) did not differ in birth weight or age at treatment. Treatment duration was significantly longer for morphine (median 39 days) than for clonidine (median 28 days; P = .02). NNNS summary scores improved significantly with clonidine but not with morphine. On subsequent assessment, those receiving clonidine had lower height of arousal and excitability (P < .05). One-year motor, cognitive, and language scores did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Clonidine may be a favorable alternative to morphine as a single-drug therapy for NAS. A multicenter randomized trial is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julia Gibson
- Department of Pharmacy, Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky; and
| | - Karen Garlitz
- Department of Pharmacy, Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky; and
| | | | | | - Yinglei Li
- Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences and
| | - Markos Leggas
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Patrick Breheny
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Niikura K, Ho A, Kreek MJ, Zhang Y. Oxycodone-induced conditioned place preference and sensitization of locomotor activity in adolescent and adult mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 110:112-6. [PMID: 23827650 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Nonmedical use of the prescription opioid oxycodone has become a major public health problem in the United States, with special concern for adolescents. Although adults and adolescents have different sensitivities for drugs, little is known about the rewarding effects of oxycodone in adolescents compared to adults, even in rodent models. Here, we investigate sensitivity to oxycodone by the conditioned place preference assay of conditioned reward, and effect on the locomotor activity in adolescent (4 weeks old) and adult (10 weeks old) C57BL/6J mice. Mice of both ages were trained with multiple doses of oxycodone (0, 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg) and showed conditioned preference in a dose-dependent manner. The adult mice developed conditioned preference to the lowest dose tested (0.3 mg/kg), but adolescent mice did not. Dose-dependent oxycodone-induced increases in locomotor activity were observed across the conditioning session. Interestingly, adolescent mice developed greater sensitization to the locomotor-activating effects of oxycodone than adult mice. Thus differences in sensitivity to oxycodone, such as the lower initial sensitivity for conditioned preference but greater locomotor sensitization in adolescent mice, may indicate contributing factors in oxycodone abuse and later addiction in human adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Niikura
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Sithisarn T, Bada HS, Charnigo RJ, Legan SJ, Randall DC. Effects of perinatal oxycodone exposure on the cardiovascular response to acute stress in male rats at weaning and in young adulthood. Front Physiol 2013; 4:85. [PMID: 23630500 PMCID: PMC3633946 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Oxycodone (OXY) is one of the most commonly abused opiates during pregnancy. Perinatal opiate exposure (POE) is associated with neurobehavioral and hormone changes. Little is known about the effects of perinatal OXY on the cardiovascular (CV) responses to stress. OBJECTIVES to determine the effects of POE on: (1) CV responses to acute stress and ability to discriminate using a classical conditioning paradigm; (2) changes in CV response to the paradigm and retention of the ability to discriminate from postnatal day (PD) 40 to young adulthood. METHODS Pregnant rats were given i.v. OXY or vehicle (CON) daily. OXY and CON males were fitted with BP telemetry units. Offspring were classically conditioned by following a pulsed tone (CS+) with tail shock. A steady tone (CS-) was not followed by shock. BP and HR were recorded during resting periods and conditioning. Changes in BP, HR from composite analysis were compared. The paradigm was repeated on PD 75. RESULTS At PD 40, OXY rats had a lower baseline mean BP (OXY: 114.8 ± 1.0 vs. CON: 118.3 ± 1.0 mm Hg; mean ± SEM) but larger amplitude of the conditional BP increase during the stress response (OXY: +3.9 ± 0.4 vs. CON: +1.7 ± 0.4 mm Hg). Both OXY and CON rats were able to discriminate between CS+ and CS-. At PD 75, the effects of OXY on the increased amplitude of the conditional BP had dissipated (CON: +3.4 ± 2.3 vs. OXY: +4.5 ± 1.4 mm Hg). BP responses to the stress and non-stress stimuli did not differ in the OXY group, suggesting that OXY may have decreased the ability of the offspring to discriminate (OXY: CS+: 147.1 ± 1.6, CS-: 145.9 ± 1.6 mm Hg vs. CON: CS+: 155.4 ± 2.7, CS-: 147.8 ± 2.7 mm Hg). CONCLUSION POE is associated with subtle alterations in stress CV responses in weanling rats which dissipate when the conditioning is repeated at an early adult age. Although POE effect on the ability to discriminate at weanling age could not be detected, POE may impair retention of this ability in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, KY, USA
| | - Henrietta S. Bada
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, KY, USA
| | - Richard J. Charnigo
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of KentuckyLexington, KY, USA
| | - Sandra J. Legan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, KY, USA
| | - David C. Randall
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, KY, USA
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Peri, pre and postnatal morphine exposure: exposure-induced effects and sex differences in the behavioural consequences in rat offspring. Behav Pharmacol 2010; 21:58-68. [PMID: 20038835 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e3283359f39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the behavioural consequences of peri, pre and postnatal morphine (MO) exposure in rats. From gestational day 1 dams were treated with either saline or MO subcutaneously once a day (5 mg/kg on the first 2 days, 10 mg/kg subsequently). Spontaneous locomotor activity in a new environment (habituation) and antinociceptive effects of MO were measured separately in male and female pups after weaning and also in late adolescence or adulthood. The rewarding effect of MO was assessed by conditioned place preference in adult animals. Both exposure-induced and sex differences were observed. A significant delay in habituation to a new environment and decreased sensitivity to the antinociceptive effect of MO were found in male offspring of MO-treated dams. In contrast, the place preference induced by MO was enhanced in the MO-exposed adult animals and this effect was more marked in females. Prenatal exposure to MO resulted in more marked changes than the postnatal exposure through maternal milk. The results indicate that a medium MO dose administered once-daily results in long-term consequences in offspring and may make them more vulnerable to MO abuse in adulthood.
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14
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2009; 22:539-43. [DOI: 10.1097/aco.0b013e32832fa02c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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