How sperm changes from opioid exposure affect future generations
Official title: Let-7 in Sperm Impacts Offspring Opioid System
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11078858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a father's use of opioids might change his sperm and affect his children's behavior and risk of addiction, helping us understand the lasting effects of the opioid crisis on families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $247,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA059688-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid exposure or addiction, particularly those who are planning to become parents.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to opioids or have no family history of substance abuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to opioids can affect sperm and, consequently, the opioid system in future generations. Using a rat model, the study will explore the mechanisms by which paternal opioid exposure influences offspring behavior and susceptibility to addiction. The researchers aim to understand the epigenetic changes in sperm that may transmit these effects to the developing fetus. This work is crucial in addressing the long-term impacts of the opioid crisis on families and future generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing opioid addiction in future generations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that environmental factors can influence genetic and epigenetic changes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vassoler, Fair M — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Vassoler, Fair M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.