About The Study: This large, multisite cohort study found that antenatal opioid exposure was associated with impaired cerebral cortical folding in newborns. The extent of cerebral cortical impairment differed based on the opioid type and presence of polysubstance exposure. Continued longitudinal neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental assessments are currently underway to examine the trajectory of brain development and clinical significance of these early cortical changes, potentially informing early interventions to support neurodevelopment in this vulnerable population.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Catherine Limperopoulos, PhD, email climpero@childrensnational.org .
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(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.14115)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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