Effect of Adolescent Social Isolation on Oxycodone Preference and Pain Management using Oxycodone in Rats

Authors: Skylee Eiffert, Gavin J Vaughan, Dehaven McCray, Ryan Kardon, Hetvi Trivedi, Tom Huang, Madison C. Heitkamp, Anushree N. Karkhanis

Field of Study: Integrative Neuroscience

Faculty Mentors: Anushree Karkhanis

Easel: 102

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Negative affect states, linked to social isolation during COVID-19, are associated with increased prescription opioid misuse and poor pain management outcomes with opioid therapies. Oxycodone consumption, preference, and efficacy was assessed in a translationally relevant adolescent social isolation model. Male and female Long Evans rats were housed in groups (aGH; 4 rats/cage) or isolation (aSI; 1-rat/cage) from PD25-65. Rats were given daily 3-hour access to oxycodone for 8 weeks to measure consumption. In a separate group, oxycodone preference was assessed using conditioned place preference, followed by oxycodone efficacy in reducing mechanical allodynia using Von Frey filaments and a paw-inflammation model after a 5-6 week washout period. While oxycodone consumption and conditioned preference were greater in aSI rats, it was less effective in reversing pain in aSI rats. aSI-associated reductions in oxycodone efficacy may explain greater oxycodone consumption, which coupled with greater oxycodone preference may increase risk of misuse.