Enlarged Cavum Septum Pellucidum as a Neurodevelopmental Marker in Adolescent-Onset Opiate Dependence

Abstract

ObjectiveAdolescent-onset exposure to highly addictive substances such as opiates may induce far-reaching deleterious effects on later mental and physical health. However, little is known about the neurodevelopmental basis for adolescent-onset opiate dependence. Here we examined whether having an abnormally large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), a putative marker of limbic structural maldevelopment, is associated with opiate dependence particularly beginning in adolescence.MethodThe overall length of the CSP and the prevalence of abnormal enlargement of the CSP were assessed and compared in 65 opiate-dependent subjects (41 adolescent-onset opiate users and 24 adult-onset opiate users) and 67 healthy subjects.ResultsOpiate-dependent subjects showed a greater prevalence of abnormal CSP enlargement relative to healthy subjects (odds ratio [OR]=3.64, p=0.034). The overall CSP length of adolescent-onset opiate-dependent subjects was greater, as compared not only with healthy subjects (F1,104=11.03, p=0.001) but also with those who began opiate use during adulthood (F1,61=4.43, p=0.039).ConclusionsThe current findings provide the first evidence that abnormal CSP enlargement, which reflects limbic system dysgenesis of neurodevelopmental origin, may be linked to later development of opiate dependence. In addition, a greater CSP length, which indicates more severe limbic abnormalities, appears to confer higher risk for earlier onset of opiate use.

Cavum Septum Pellucidum in Retired American Pro-Football Players

“…Functionally, lesions of the septum pellucidum have been associated with abnormal reward processing and volume/fiber loss in adjacent limbic structures. 9,15 This study is limited by its small size and potential for confounding if, for example, pro-football players have different brain structure than memory clinic controls for reasons independent of head trauma. Lastly, this and other previous studies raise the hypothesis that CSP may be a neuroimaging biomarker of previous brain trauma of sufficient magnitude to produce chronic neurological symptoms.…”

Prescription opioid use disorder and heroin use among 12-34 year-olds in the United States from 2002 to 2014

“…Further, opioid use disorders can impact all aspects of adolescents’ and young adults’ lives, including family, school, and the acquisition of adult roles and responsibilities (Boyd, McCabe, & Teter, 2006; Wu, Blazer, Li, & Woody, 2011; Wu, Ringwalt, Mannelli, & Patkar, 2008). Despite research findings that young adulthood is a period of high vulnerability to drug effects (Hwang et al, 2013), adolescent susceptibility to drug effects might be even greater due to adolescent physiological and social transitions (Rudolph, Lambert, Clark, & Kurlakowsky, 2001). Thus, it is important to examine patterns of prescription opioid use disorder in different developmental periods including adolescence, the transition from adolescence to adulthood and early adulthood.…”

Exposure to opiates in female adolescents alters mu opiate receptor expression and increases the rewarding effects of morphine in future offspring

“…One negative outcome associated with use during adolescent developmental is an increased risk of addiction and dependence (DuRant et al, 1999; Schwartz, 1998). Moreover increased incidences of structural abnormalities have been discerned in brains of drug users who initiated use during adolescence when compared to those that initiated during adulthood (Hwang et al, 2013). The full extent of the damage that adolescent drug exposure causes is unknown.…”