Christopher M. Traudt1, Kathleen M. Ennis1,
Raghu Rao1, Ivan Tkac2
1Dept. of Pediatrics, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; 2University of Minnesota,
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
In
vivo 1H NMR NMR spectroscopy at 9.4T was used to investigate
effects of morphine on the neurochemical profile of the developing rat
hippocampus. Significant differences between pup exposed to the morphine (2
mg/kg/, twice a day, P3 P7) and their littermate controls were observed for
multiple brain metabolites on postnatal day 8. These changes had resolved by
P29. Biochemical changes indicated effects of morphine on inhibitory
neurotransmission (GABA, Tau), glial development and myelination (Gln,
myo-Ins), osmoregulation (myo-Ins, Tau) and antioxidant processes (GSH).These
results indicate that morphine exposure during hippocampal development may
lead to hippocampal-dependant cognitive deficits in premature infants.