1
|
Varma M, Bhandari R, Sarkar A, Jain M, Paliwal JK, Medhi B, Kuhad A. Exploring Astrocytes Involvement and Glutamate Induced Neuroinflammation in Chlorpyrifos-Induced Paradigm Of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Neurochem Res 2024:10.1007/s11064-024-04191-z. [PMID: 38896196 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04191-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders manifested mainly in children, with symptoms ranging from social/communication deficits and stereotypies to associated behavioral anomalies like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. While the patho-mechanism is not well understood, the role of neuroinflammation has been suggested. Nevertheless, the triggers giving rise to this neuroinflammation have not previously been explored in detail, so the present study was aimed at exploring the role of glutamate on these processes, potentially carried out through increased activity of inflammatory cells like astrocytes, and a decline in neuronal health. A novel chlorpyrifos-induced paradigm of ASD in rat pups was used for the present study. The animals were subjected to tests assessing their neonatal development and adolescent behaviors (social skills, stereotypies, sensorimotor deficits, anxiety, depression, olfactory, and pain perception). Markers for inflammation and the levels of molecules involved in glutamate excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation were also measured. Additionally, the expression of reactive oxygen species and markers of neuronal inflammation (GFAP) and function (c-Fos) were evaluated, along with an assessment of histopathological alterations. Based on these evaluations, it was found that postnatal administration of CPF had a negative impact on neurobehavior during both the neonatal and adolescent phases, especially on developmental markers, and brought about the generation of ASD-like symptoms. This was further corroborated by elevations in the expression of glutamate and downstream calcium, as well as certain cytokines and neuroinflammatory markers, and validated through histopathological and immunohistochemical results showing a decline in neuronal health in an astrocyte-mediated cytokine-dependent fashion. Through our findings, conclusive evidence regarding the involvement of glutamate in neuroinflammatory pathways implicated in the development of ASD-like symptoms, as well as its ability to activate further downstream processes linked to neuronal damage has been obtained. The role of astrocytes and the detrimental effect on neuronal health are also concluded. The significance of our study and its findings lies in the evaluation of the involvement of chlorpyrifos-induced neurotoxicity in the development of ASD, particularly in relation to glutamatergic dysfunction and neuronal damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Varma
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Ranjana Bhandari
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India.
- Division of Pharmaceutics, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India.
- Director, AKB INNOVANT HEALHCARE PVT. LTD., Chandigarh, India.
| | - Ankan Sarkar
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Manish Jain
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Jyoti K Paliwal
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
- Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Anurag Kuhad
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC- Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ferrante JR, Blendy JA. Advances in animal models of prenatal opioid exposure. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:367-382. [PMID: 38614891 PMCID: PMC11096018 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.03.005] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is a growing public health concern. The complexity of in utero opioid exposure in clinical studies makes it difficult to investigate underlying mechanisms that could ultimately inform early diagnosis and treatments. Clinical studies are unable to dissociate the influence of maternal polypharmacy or the environment from direct effects of in utero opioid exposure, highlighting the need for effective animal models. Early animal models of prenatal opioid exposure primarily used the prototypical opioid, morphine, and opioid exposure that was often limited to a narrow period during gestation. In recent years, the number of preclinical studies has grown rapidly. Newer models utilize both prescription and nonprescription opioids and vary the onset and duration of opioid exposure. In this review, we summarize novel prenatal opioid exposure models developed in recent years and attempt to reconcile results between studies while critically identifying gaps within the current literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Ferrante
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Butelman ER, Kreek MJ. Effect of prenatal and early post-natal oxycodone exposure on the reinforcing and antinociceptive effects of oxycodone in adult C57BL/6 J mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:359-377. [PMID: 38086926 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06493-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Abuse of opioids (mu-opioid agonists such as oxycodone) among parents during the gestation and early post-natal period is a concern for the long-term health of the offspring, beyond potential neonatal withdrawal symptoms. However, there is only limited information on such effects. OBJECTIVES We examined how prenatal, and early-post natal oxycodone exposure affected opioid addiction behaviors. METHODS Adult male and female C57BL/CJ mice housed separately were first injected with ascending doses of oxycodone 1 time/day (1 mg/kg × 10 days, 1.5 mg/kg × 10 days, 2 mg/kg × 10 days, s.c.) whereas control mice were injected with saline. Newly formed parental dyads were then housed together and continued to receive ascending doses of oxycodone (3 mg/kg × 10 days, 4 mg/kg × 10 days, 5 mg/kg × 10 days, 6 mg/kg × 10 days or saline, s.c.) or saline during mating and gestation until the birth of the litter. The dams continued to receive oxycodone or saline through lactation, until F1 offspring were weaned. Upon reaching adulthood (12 weeks of age), male and female F1 offspring were examined in intravenous self-administration (IVSA) of oxycodone, on oxycodone-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and oxycodone-induced antinociception. RESULTS Adult F1 male and female offspring of parental dyads exposed to oxycodone self-administered more oxycodone, compared to offspring of control parental dyads. Ventral and dorsal striatal mRNA levels of genes such as Fkbp5 and Oprm1 were altered following oxycodone self-administration. CONCLUSION Prenatal and early post-natal oxycodone exposure enhanced oxycodone self-administration during adulthood in the C57BL/6 J mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 171, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Eduardo R Butelman
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 171, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 171, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Flores A, Nguyen NM, Pendyala G. Developmental outcomes with perinatal exposure (DOPE) to prescription opioids. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:339-351. [PMID: 38058996 PMCID: PMC10696573 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2023-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have found considerable evidence in the past 20 years that perinatal opioid exposure leads to an increased risk of developmental disorders in offspring that persist into adulthood. The use of opioids to treat pain concerning pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum complications has been rising. As a result, communities have reported a 300-400 % increase in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). NOWS represents the initial stage of several behavioral, phenotypic, and synaptic deficits. This review article summarizes the Developmental Outcomes of Perinatal Exposure (DOPE) to prescription opioids. Moreover, we also seek to connect these findings to clinical research that describes DOPE at multiple stages of life. Since specific mechanisms that underlie DOPE remain unclear, this article aims to provide a framework for conceptualizing across all ages and highlight the implications they may have for longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Flores
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nghi M. Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gurudutt Pendyala
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, Omaha, NE, USA
- National Strategic Research Institute, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dunn AD, Robinson SA, Nwokafor C, Estill M, Ferrante J, Shen L, Lemchi CO, Creus-Muncunill J, Ramirez A, Mengaziol J, Brynildsen JK, Leggas M, Horn J, Ehrlich ME, Blendy JA. Molecular and long-term behavioral consequences of neonatal opioid exposure and withdrawal in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1202099. [PMID: 37424750 PMCID: PMC10324024 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1202099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Infants exposed to opioids in utero are at high risk of exhibiting Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), a combination of somatic withdrawal symptoms including high pitched crying, sleeplessness, irritability, gastrointestinal distress, and in the worst cases, seizures. The heterogeneity of in utero opioid exposure, particularly exposure to polypharmacy, makes it difficult to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms that could inform early diagnosis and treatment of NOWS, and challenging to investigate consequences later in life. Methods To address these issues, we developed a mouse model of NOWS that includes gestational and post-natal morphine exposure that encompasses the developmental equivalent of all three human trimesters and assessed both behavior and transcriptome alterations. Results Opioid exposure throughout all three human equivalent trimesters delayed developmental milestones and produced acute withdrawal phenotypes in mice reminiscent of those observed in infants. We also uncovered different patterns of gene expression depending on the duration and timing of opioid exposure (3-trimesters, in utero only, or the last trimester equivalent only). Opioid exposure and subsequent withdrawal affected social behavior and sleep in adulthood in a sex-dependent manner but did not affect adult behaviors related to anxiety, depression, or opioid response. Discussion Despite marked withdrawal and delays in development, long-term deficits in behaviors typically associated with substance use disorders were modest. Remarkably, transcriptomic analysis revealed an enrichment for genes with altered expression in published datasets for Autism Spectrum Disorders, which correlate well with the deficits in social affiliation seen in our model. The number of differentially expressed genes between the NOWS and saline groups varied markedly based on exposure protocol and sex, but common pathways included synapse development, the GABAergic and myelin systems, and mitochondrial function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia D. Dunn
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Shivon A. Robinson
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, United States
| | - Chiso Nwokafor
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Molly Estill
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Julia Ferrante
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Crystal O. Lemchi
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jordi Creus-Muncunill
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Angie Ramirez
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Juliet Mengaziol
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Julia K. Brynildsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark Leggas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jamie Horn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Julie A. Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lepore G, Morley-McLaughlin T, Davidson N, Han C, Masese C, Reynolds G, Saltz V, Robinson SA. Buprenorphine reduces somatic withdrawal in a mouse model of early-life morphine exposure. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 248:109938. [PMID: 37267743 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109938] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The rising prevalence of early-life opioid exposure has become a pressing public health issue in the U.S. Neonates exposed to opioids in utero are at risk of experiencing a constellation of postpartum withdrawal symptoms commonly referred to as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Buprenorphine (BPN), a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR), is currently approved to treat opioid use disorder in adult populations. Recent research suggests that BPN may also be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms in neonates who were exposed to opioids in utero. We sought to determine whether BPN attenuates somatic withdrawal in a mouse model of NOWS. Our findings indicate that the administration of morphine (10mg/kg, s.c.) from postnatal day (PND) 1-14 results in increased somatic symptoms upon naloxone-precipitated (1mg/kg, s.c.) withdrawal. Co-administration of BPN (0.3mg/kg, s.c.) from PND 12-14 attenuated symptoms in morphine-treated mice. On PND 15, 24h following naloxone-precipitated withdrawal, a subset of mice was examined for thermal sensitivity in the hot plate test. BPN treatment significantly increased response latency in morphine-exposed mice. Lastly, neonatal morphine exposure elevated mRNA expression of KOR, and reduced mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the periaqueductal gray when measured on PND 14. Altogether, this data provides support for the therapeutic effects of acute low-dose buprenorphine treatment in a mouse model of neonatal opioid exposure and withdrawal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Lepore
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics. Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPA19104, United States
| | | | - Natalie Davidson
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States
| | - Caitlin Han
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States
| | - Cynthia Masese
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States
| | - Grace Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States
| | - Victoria Saltz
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States
| | - Shivon A Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Williams CollegeWilliamsMA01267, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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'.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Grecco GG, Shahid SS, Atwood BK, Wu YC. Alterations of brain microstructures in a mouse model of prenatal opioid exposure detected by diffusion MRI. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17085. [PMID: 36224335 PMCID: PMC9556691 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing opioid use among pregnant women is fueling a crisis of infants born with prenatal opioid exposure. A large body of research has been devoted to studying the management of opioid withdrawal during the neonatal period in these infants, but less substantive work has explored the long-term impact of prenatal opioid exposure on neurodevelopment. Using a translationally relevant mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME), the aim of the study is to investigate the cerebral microstructural differences between the mice with PME and prenatal saline exposure (PSE). The brains of eight-week-old male offspring with either PME (n = 15) or PSE (n = 15) were imaged using high resolution in-vivo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging on a 9.4 Tesla small animal scanner. Brain microstructure was characterized using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and Bingham neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (Bingham-NODDI). Voxel-based analysis (VBA) was performed using the calculated microstructural parametric maps. The VBA showed significant (p < 0.05) bilateral alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), orientation dispersion index (ODI) and dispersion anisotropy index (DAI) across several cortical and subcortical regions, compared to PSE. Particularly, in PME offspring, FA, MD and AD were significantly higher in the hippocampus, dorsal amygdala, thalamus, septal nuclei, dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. These DTI-based results suggest widespread bilateral microstructural alterations across cortical and subcortical regions in PME offspring. Consistent with the observations in DTI, Bingham-NODDI derived ODI exhibited significant reduction in PME offspring within the hippocampus, dorsal striatum and cortex. NODDI-based results further suggest reduction in dendritic arborization in PME offspring across multiple cortical and subcortical regions. To our best knowledge, this is the first study of prenatal opioid exposure to examine microstructural organization in vivo. Our findings demonstrate perturbed microstructural complexity in cortical and subcortical regions persisting into early adulthood which could interfere with critical neurodevelopmental processes in individuals with prenatal opioid exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G. Grecco
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA ,grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical Scientist Training Program, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Syed Salman Shahid
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Suite 4100, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Brady K. Atwood
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA ,grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Yu-Chien Wu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Suite 4100, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shang W, Dai Z, Zhang J, Shen F, Sui N, Liang J. Embryonic opioid exposure impairs inhibitory transmission of striatum in day‐old chicks. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22273. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Zhonghua Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Fang Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Nan Sui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Sino‐Danish Center for Education and Research University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Eacret D, Noreck J, Blendy J. Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) in serotonin neurons mediates select behaviors during protracted withdrawal from morphine in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 419:113688. [PMID: 34843742 PMCID: PMC8688336 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin neurotransmission has been implicated in behavior deficits that occur during protracted withdrawal from opioids. In addition, studies have highlighted multiple pathways whereby serotonin (5-HT) modulates energy homeostasis, however the underlying metabolic effects of opioid withdrawal have not been investigated. A key metabolic regulator that senses the energy status of the cell and regulates fuel availability is Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). To investigate the interaction between cellular metabolism and serotonin in modulating protracted abstinence from morphine, we depleted AMPK in serotonin neurons. Morphine exposure via drinking water generates dependence in these mice, and both wildtype and serotonergic AMPK knockout mice consume similar amounts of morphine with no changes in body weight. Serotonergic AMPK contributes to baseline differences in open field and social interaction behaviors and blocks abstinence induced reductions in immobility following morphine withdrawal in the tail suspension test. Lastly, morphine locomotor sensitization is blunted in mice lacking AMPK in serotonin neurons. Taken together, our results suggest serotonergic AMPK mediates both baseline and protracted morphine withdrawal-induced behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D. Eacret
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J. Noreck
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J.A. Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Corresponding author , Phone: (215) 898-0730, Fax: (215) 573-2236
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Borrelli KN, Yao EJ, Yen WW, Phadke RA, Ruan QT, Chen MM, Kelliher JC, Langan CR, Scotellaro JL, Babbs RK, Beierle JC, Logan RW, Johnson WE, Wachman EM, Cruz-Martín A, Bryant CD. Sex Differences in Behavioral and Brainstem Transcriptomic Neuroadaptations following Neonatal Opioid Exposure in Outbred Mice. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0143-21.2021. [PMID: 34479978 PMCID: PMC8454922 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0143-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid epidemic led to an increase in the number of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) cases in infants born to opioid-dependent mothers. Hallmark features of NOWS include weight loss, severe irritability, respiratory problems, and sleep fragmentation. Mouse models provide an opportunity to identify brain mechanisms that contribute to NOWS. Neonatal outbred Swiss Webster Cartworth Farms White (CFW) mice were administered morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) twice daily from postnatal day 1 (P1) to P14, an approximation of the third trimester of human gestation. Female and male mice underwent behavioral testing on P7 and P14 to determine the impact of opioid exposure on anxiety and pain sensitivity. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and daily body weights were also recorded. Brainstems containing pons and medulla were collected during morphine withdrawal on P14 for RNA sequencing. Morphine induced weight loss from P2 to P14, which persisted during adolescence (P21) and adulthood (P50). USVs markedly increased at P7 in females, emerging earlier than males. On P7 and P14, both morphine-exposed female and male mice displayed hyperalgesia on the hot plate and tail-flick assays, with females showing greater hyperalgesia than males. Morphine-exposed mice exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior in the open-field arena on P21. Transcriptome analysis of the brainstem, an area implicated in opioid withdrawal and NOWS, identified pathways enriched for noradrenergic signaling in females and males. We also found sex-specific pathways related to mitochondrial function and neurodevelopment in females and circadian entrainment in males. Sex-specific transcriptomic neuroadaptations implicate unique neurobiological mechanisms underlying NOWS-like behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn N Borrelli
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- NIGMS Training Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Emily J Yao
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - William W Yen
- Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Rhushikesh A Phadke
- Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry (MCBB), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Qiu T Ruan
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- NIGMS Training Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Melanie M Chen
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Julia C Kelliher
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Carly R Langan
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Julia L Scotellaro
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Richard K Babbs
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Jacob C Beierle
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- NIGMS Training Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Ryan W Logan
- Laboratory of Sleep, Rhythms, and Addiction, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
| | - William Evan Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Elisha M Wachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Alberto Cruz-Martín
- Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Stevens S, Mohan S. Opioid withdrawal behavior in spiny mice: A novel preclinical model of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Heliyon 2021; 7:e06694. [PMID: 33898824 PMCID: PMC8056230 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the opioid epidemic continues to grow, opioid use among pregnant women is increasing significantly. This has led to a steady rise in the number of infants born with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Although short-term withdrawal symptoms associated with NOWS are well characterized, there are many gaps in our understanding of the short and long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure. Current animal models of NOWS are limited by shortened gestational periods, large litter sizes, and primary organogenesis occurring after birth. This often leads to postnatal treatment to mimic drug exposure during third-trimester development. Using the unique rodent species Acomys cahirinus, more commonly known as spiny mice, which have an extended 40-day gestation period, small litter sizes, and increased in utero organogenesis we aim to study the short-term effects of prenatal morphine exposure by assessing withdrawal behavior. To model maternal opioid use, dams were treated daily with morphine (10 and 30 mg/kg S.C.) beginning on gestation day 19 until the day of birth; this resulted in a cumulative exposure of 19-21 days. Withdrawal behaviors for each pup were recorded daily between postnatal days 0-7 (PND 0-7). Our study found that prenatal morphine exposure in spiny mice led to an increase in withdrawal behavior throughout the early postnatal period and validated the use of this species as a novel pre-clinical model of NOWS. We are hopeful this rodent model will further our understanding of the short and long-term consequences of prenatal opioid exposure on neurodevelopment and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Stevens
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Marshall University, School of Pharmacy, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Shekher Mohan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manchester University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Liberty University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA 24502, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Grecco GG, Mork BE, Huang JY, Metzger CE, Haggerty DL, Reeves KC, Gao Y, Hoffman H, Katner SN, Masters AR, Morris CW, Newell EA, Engleman EA, Baucum AJ, Kim J, Yamamoto BK, Allen MR, Wu YC, Lu HC, Sheets PL, Atwood BK. Prenatal methadone exposure disrupts behavioral development and alters motor neuron intrinsic properties and local circuitry. eLife 2021; 10:66230. [PMID: 33724184 PMCID: PMC7993998 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rising prevalence of methadone treatment in pregnant women with opioid use disorder, the effects of methadone on neurobehavioral development remain unclear. We developed a translational mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME) that resembles the typical pattern of opioid use by pregnant women who first use oxycodone then switch to methadone maintenance pharmacotherapy, and subsequently become pregnant while maintained on methadone. We investigated the effects of PME on physical development, sensorimotor behavior, and motor neuron properties using a multidisciplinary approach of physical, biochemical, and behavioral assessments along with brain slice electrophysiology and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. Methadone accumulated in the placenta and fetal brain, but methadone levels in offspring dropped rapidly at birth which was associated with symptoms and behaviors consistent with neonatal opioid withdrawal. PME produced substantial impairments in offspring physical growth, activity in an open field, and sensorimotor milestone acquisition. Furthermore, these behavioral alterations were associated with reduced neuronal density in the motor cortex and a disruption in motor neuron intrinsic properties and local circuit connectivity. The present study adds to the limited body of work examining PME by providing a comprehensive, translationally relevant characterization of how PME disrupts offspring physical and neurobehavioral development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical Scientist Training Program, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Briana E Mork
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Program in Medical Neuroscience, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Jui-Yen Huang
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States.,The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Psychological and Brain Science, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Corinne E Metzger
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - David L Haggerty
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Kaitlin C Reeves
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yong Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Hunter Hoffman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Simon N Katner
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Andrea R Masters
- Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Core-Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Cameron W Morris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Erin A Newell
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Anthony J Baucum
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Jiuen Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Bryan K Yamamoto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Matthew R Allen
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yu-Chien Wu
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Merhar SL, Ounpraseuth S, Devlin LA, Poindexter BB, Young LW, Berkey SD, Crowley M, Czynski AJ, Kiefer AS, Whalen BL, Das A, Fuller JF, Higgins RD, Thombre V, Lester BM, Smith PB, Newman S, Sánchez PJ, Smith MC, Simon AE. Phenobarbital and Clonidine as Secondary Medications for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-017830. [PMID: 33632932 PMCID: PMC7919109 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-017830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite the neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) epidemic in the United States, evidence is limited for pharmacologic management when first-line opioid medications fail to control symptoms. The objective with this study was to evaluate outcomes of infants receiving secondary therapy with phenobarbital compared with clonidine, in combination with morphine, for the treatment of NOWS. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of infants with NOWS from 30 hospitals. The primary outcome measures were the length of hospital stay, duration of opioid treatment, and peak morphine dose. Outcomes were compared by group by using analysis of variance and multivariable linear regression controlling for relevant confounders. RESULTS Of 563 infants with NOWS treated with morphine, 32% (n = 180) also received a secondary medication. Seventy-two received phenobarbital and 108 received clonidine. After adjustment for covariates, length of hospital stay was 10 days shorter, and, in some models, duration of morphine treatment was 7.5 days shorter in infants receiving phenobarbital compared with those receiving clonidine, with no difference in peak morphine dose. Infants were more likely to be discharged from the hospital on phenobarbital than clonidine (78% vs 29%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Among infants with NOWS receiving morphine and secondary therapy, those treated with phenobarbital had shorter length of hospital stay and shorter morphine treatment duration than clonidine-treated infants but were discharged from the hospital more often on secondary medication. Further investigation is warranted to determine if the benefits of shorter hospital stay and shorter duration of morphine therapy justify the possible neurodevelopmental consequences of phenobarbital use in infants with NOWS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L. Merhar
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Songthip Ounpraseuth
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Lori A. Devlin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Brenda B. Poindexter
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Leslie W. Young
- Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Sean D. Berkey
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, Alaska
| | - Moira Crowley
- Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Adam J. Czynski
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infant’s Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Autumn S. Kiefer
- Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Bonny L. Whalen
- Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Abhik Das
- RTI International, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Janell F. Fuller
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Rosemary D. Higgins
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland and George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Vaishali Thombre
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Barry M. Lester
- Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Department of Pediatrics, Brown Alpert Medical School and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - P. Brian Smith
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Pablo J. Sánchez
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - M. Cody Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; and
| | - Alan E. Simon
- Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS): A Transgenerational Echo of the Opioid Crisis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a039669. [PMID: 32229609 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) has increased substantially in the setting of the opioid epidemic, a major public health problem in the United States. At present, NOWS has commonly used assessment and treatment protocols, but new protocols have questioned old practices. However, because of limited access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and socioeconomic factors, many pregnant (and postpartum) women with OUD do not receive treatment. The pathophysiology of NOWS is not completely understood, although limited research studies have been conducted in humans and animals to better understand its etiology. Moreover, there is evidence that epigenetic and genetic factors play a role in the development of NOWS, but further study is needed. Animal models have suggested that there are deleterious effects of in utero opioid exposure later in life. Clinical research has revealed the harmful long-term sequelae of NOWS, with respect to cognitive function and childhood development. Many psychiatric disorders begin during adolescence, so as infants born with NOWS approach adolescence, additional clinical and molecular studies are warranted to identify biologic and psychosocial risk factors and long-term effects of NOWS. Additionally, access to specialized OUD treatment for pregnant women must be more readily available in the United States, especially in rural areas.
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
|
19
|
Identifying the Neurodevelopmental Differences of Opioid Withdrawal. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:1145-1155. [PMID: 33432504 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01035-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stopping opioid medications can result in a debilitating withdrawal syndrome in chronic users. Opioid withdrawal can occur at all ages, but mechanistic understanding of this condition is predominantly derived from adult studies. Here, we examined whether there are age-dependent differences in the behavioural phenotype and cellular indices of opioid withdrawal. We tested this by assessing the behavioural and cFos response (a surrogate marker for neuronal activation) to morphine withdrawal in C57BL/6J mice across key developmental stages-neonatal, adolescent, and adulthood. Mice in all age groups received escalating doses of morphine (10-50 mg/kg) over 5 days and withdrawal was precipitated by a single injection of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg) two hours after the last morphine dose. In adult and adolescent mice, withdrawal behaviours were robust, with age-related differences in autonomic and somatic signs. In both groups, cFos expression was increased in spinally projecting neurons within the Periaqueductal Grey (PAG), Rostro-ventromedial Medulla (RVM), and Locus Coeruleus. Neonatal animals displayed both a distinct behavioural withdrawal and cFos expression profile. Notably, in young animals cFos expression was increased within the PAG and LC, but decreased in the RVM. In summary, naloxone challenge precipitated robust opioid withdrawal behaviours across all developmental stages with neonatal animals displaying differences in withdrawal behaviours and unique neuronal activation patterns within key brainstem regions.
Collapse
|
20
|
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.
Collapse
|
21
|
Cross-Generational THC Exposure Alters Heroin Reinforcement in Adult Male Offspring. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 212:107985. [PMID: 32386920 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An emerging area of preclinical research has investigated whether drug use in parents prior to conception influences drug responsivity in their offspring. The present work sought to further characterize such effects with cannabis by examining whether a parental THC history modified locomotor sensitization to morphine and self-administration of heroin in adult progeny. METHODS Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to eight injections of 0 or 1.5 mg/kg THC during adolescence and bred with subjects from the same dose group. In Experiment 1, adult male and female offspring (F1-THC and F1-Veh) underwent locomotor sensitization procedures with morphine over five trials followed by a 5-day abstinence period and a final morphine challenge. In Experiment 2, subjects were trained to self-administer heroin and tested under a number of conditions (FR1, FR5, FR10, PR, dose response assessment, extinction, cue- + stress-induced reinstatement). RESULTS Germline THC exposure had no effect on morphine locomotor sensitization. However, F1-THC males displayed a reduced motivation to self-administer heroin relative to F1-Veh males. CONCLUSIONS The present data indicate that parental THC exposure alters the reinforcing properties of heroin in a sex-specific manner. As such, mild to moderate cannabis use during adolescence may alter heroin abuse liability for males in the subsequent generation, but have limited effects on females.
Collapse
|