Changes in brain development is one way the fetus could be affected. During the last trimester of pregnancy, myelination begins in the fetus's brain which could be affected by the introduction of opioids [4]. In order to understand how myelination is altered by buprenorphine, Sanches et al (2008) measured the different levels of various proteins associated with myelin in rats who had been exposed to buprenorphine in utero.
Journal of Comprehensible Results
Sanchez E, Bigbee J, Fobbs W, Robinson S, Sato-Bigbee C (2008)
Opioid Addiction and Pregnancy:Perinatal Exposure to Buprenorphine
Affects Myelination in the Developing Brain.
Glia 56:1010-1027
Opioid Addiction and Pregnancy:Perinatal Exposure to Buprenorphine
Affects Myelination in the Developing Brain.
Glia 56:1010-1027
(Translated by Brenna Kent)
Significance
Opioid abuse has become a major public health concern during recent years. In 2016, opioids were involved in 42,249 overdose related deaths[1]. One way, opioid addiction is treated is through maintenance therapy which is when a synthetic opioid is prescribed to an addict to help combat the symptoms of withdrawal, so that they can detox in a controlled manor. Currently methadone and buprenorphine are popular opioids prescribed for maintenance therapy, and they are even prescribed to pregnant addicts[6]; this has the potential to affect not only the mother, but also the fetus as well.
Contents
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Figure 1: Overdose Death Rates Related to Opioids[1] Overdoses realted to opioids have steadily increased since the begining of the 2000s.
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