Researcher(s)
- Oviyanna Umoh, Neuroscience, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Tania Roth, Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
- Mary Dozier, Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
The rise in opioid misuse, especially in pregnant women, poses significant concerns for infant health and well-being. Delaware has notably high rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition resulting from prenatal opioid exposure (Hirai et al., 2021). Such exposure, along with poor maternal care during infancy, can lead to altered DNA methylation of specific genes subsequently affecting gene expression. Furthermore, early childhood adversity has been linked to demethylation of the FKBP5 gene, disrupting its critical role as a glucocorticoid receptor modulator during stress responses. The Modified Attachment and Biobehavioral Catchup (mABC) intervention is designed to help caregivers provide sensitive caregiving to children with neonatal opioid exposure. Through saliva collected at 0, 6, and 12 months postpartum, bisulfite conversion, and bisulfite sequencing, we aim to investigate methylation levels at the FKBP5 gene amongst mABC participants. We hypothesize that the mABC participants will exhibit increased methylation 12 months postpartum at various sites of the FKBP5 gene compared to a control intervention group, promoting healthy stress responses. This study provides insight into prenatal opioid exposure, caregiving experiences, and epigenetic modifications to DNA.