Investigating brain inflammation during withdrawal from opioids in newborns
Official title: Evaluation of inflammation in the locus coeruleus during physical withdrawal symptoms and cognitive development in a rat model of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-10883570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how inflammation in a part of the brain affects babies who go through withdrawal after being exposed to opioids, using rats to help us understand how this might impact their thinking and behavior as they grow up, with the hope of finding ways to help these children in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $38,901 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DA059237-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are infants and children who have been diagnosed with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid exposure or withdrawal, such as those without a history of opioid use in pregnancy, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how inflammation in a specific brain region, the locus coeruleus, affects withdrawal symptoms and cognitive development in newborns exposed to opioids. Using a rat model, the study aims to understand the long-term impacts of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) on brain function and behavior. By analyzing inflammatory markers and their relationship to cognitive deficits, the research seeks to identify potential treatment targets for improving outcomes in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that mitigate the cognitive and behavioral effects of opioid withdrawal in newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of opioid exposure on brain development, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills-Huffnagle, Sara Lynn — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mills-Huffnagle, Sara Lynn
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.