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Understanding intergenerational effects of maternal opioid exposure on offspring behavior and epigenetics

Research has shown that maternal opioid exposure during adolescence can have lasting effects on the behavior and epigenetics of offspring. Specifically, a recent rat study found that offspring of mothers who consumed morphine-infused water in adolescence were more likely to exhibit anxiety-like behaviors and have specific epigenetic expressions related to poor neuronal plasticity. This highlights a need to understand the mechanisms behind these intergenerational effects and to develop strategies for mitigating them.

Science, Biology, Neuroscience