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Understanding the effects of gestational fentanyl exposure on external morphology, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and brain volume, morphology and neurochemistry of offspring

Award Number: R21DA062066
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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Understanding the effects of gestational fentanyl exposure on external morphology, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and brain volume, morphology and neurochemistry of offspring - Abstract / Project Summary The opioid epidemic has impacted the lives of millions of individuals, including women that use opioids, such as fentanyl, during pregnancy putting the fetus at risk. A shocking NBC news story in late 2023 reported on a clinical case study that indicates a novel syndrome in babies exposed to fentanyl during pregnancy may have been found. However, polysubstance use in humans often complicates research, which may be the case here; therefore, an urgent need exists to determine the effects of gestational exposure to fentanyl (alone) on offspring well-being. In response to this need, we propose a set of studies using a rodent gestational exposure model to measure the effects of fentanyl during pregnancy on offspring at birth through early development. Our central hypothesis is that gestational fentanyl exposure causes malformation of the body and brain and abnormal behavior in offspring. We will test this hypothesis by determining the impact of gestational fentanyl exposure on morbidity and mortality, developmental milestones, external morphology, blood cholesterol, brain morphogen signaling, and neonatal opioid withdrawal and related behavioral measures in offspring. Furthermore, we will determine the impact of gestational fentanyl exposure on brain volume, morphology, and neurochemistry of offspring using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in vivo. The results of these studies will directly impact the clinical situation and our understanding of the direct role of gestational exposure to fentanyl in the reported cases indicating that a newly discovered fetal fentanyl syndrome may exist.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $231,000 )
2026	2026	WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY	5700 CASS AVE STE 4900	DETROIT	MI	48202	WAYNE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	4/28/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$231,000
														Subtotal = $231,000

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $192,500 )
2025	2025	WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY	5700 CASS AVE STE 4900	DETROIT	MI	48202	WAYNE	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	4/16/2025	NEW	$192,500
														Subtotal = $192,500

Grand Total All Awards = $423,500

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Understanding the effects of gestational fentanyl exposure on external morphology, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and brain volume, morphology and neurochemistry of offspring

Award Number: R21DA062066

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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