Poster: Analysis of maternal behavior in oxycodone-exposed rats transitioned to methadone or abstinence
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This poster is a product of my summer research as a Laidlaw Scholar at Tufts University, under the supervision of Professor Elizabeth Byrnes. My project focused on investigating the effects of gestational methadone maintenance versus forced opioid withdrawal on postpartum maternal behavior in rats. Through behavioral video analysis, I examined maternal caregiving activities, including nursing, pup grooming, and nest attendance, across early postnatal development. Additionally, I analyzed behavioral transitions and entropy to assess differences in the organization and predictability of maternal care between treatment groups. The overarching goal of this research was to better understand how different approaches to managing opioid dependence during pregnancy may influence maternal caregiving and mother–offspring interactions, contributing to a broader understanding of the potential implications of opioid use disorder treatment for maternal and offspring health.
