Opioid receptor gene variations associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome severity

(Boston University Medical Center) A new study led by researchers at Boston Medical Center indicates that variations in opioid receptor genes are associated with more severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in newborn babies. The findings, published online in Drug & Alcohol Dependence, could help lead to the development of individualized treatment plans tailored to each infants' risk of requiring medication to curb their NAS symptoms, which could help improve these patients' outcomes and reduce how long some stay in the hospital.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news