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A Holistic Systems Approach to Characterize the Impact of Pre- and Post-natal Oxycodone Exposure on Neurodevelopment

Katherine E Odegaard1, Victoria L Schaal1, Alexander R Clark1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|January 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal and early-life oxycodone exposure alters offspring brain chemistry and function, leading to neurodevelopmental and behavioral changes, including lower pain sensitivity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pregnancy-associated oxycodone (oxy) dependency poses risks for offspring.
  • Limited understanding of in utero and postnatal oxycodone exposure effects on neurodevelopment and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the long-term neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences of in utero and postnatal oxycodone exposure.
  • Utilize a holistic systems biology approach to uncover molecular and functional changes.

Main Methods:

  • Preclinical rodent model for in utero (IUO) and postnatal (PNO) oxycodone exposure.
  • Integrated analysis using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), electrophysiology, RNA-sequencing, and Von Frey pain testing.

Main Results:

  • Significant alterations in brain metabolites and synaptic currents observed in exposed offspring.
  • RNA-sequencing revealed changes in genes related to neurodevelopment, mood disorders, and addiction.
  • Exposed offspring exhibited reduced pain thresholds.

Conclusions:

  • Oxycodone exposure during critical developmental windows has persistent effects on offspring neurobiology and behavior.
  • Findings highlight potential risks of prenatal and early-life opiate exposure beyond maternal effects.

Keywords:
RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq)Von Freyelectrophysiologyoxycodoneproton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)

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