μ Opioid Modulation of Sensorimotor Functional Connectivity in Autism: Insights From a Pharmacological Neuroimaging Investigation Using Tianeptine
Our findings suggest that μ opioid neurosignaling may contribute to functional brain differences in the sensorimotor network in autism. Given that sensorimotor system alterations are thought to be central to autism and contribute to other core autistic features, as well as adaptability and mental health, further research is warranted to explore the translational potential of μ opioid modulation in autism.
Authors
- Robert Wichers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6630-8038)
- Nichol M. L. Wong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0050-7736)
- Jason He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2983-0166)
- Vladimira Stoencheva
- Glynis Ivin
- Sydney Leaman
- Lucas G. S. França (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0853-1319)
- Declan Murphy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6664-7451)
- Gráinne McAlonan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4466-2343)
- Dafnis Batallé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2097-979X)
- Sarah Blainey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9669-7644)
- James L. Findon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8062-5972)
- Mihail Dimitrov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0760-5905)
- Eileen Daly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3625-3467)
- Štefan Holiga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6248-2792)
- Mark D. Tricklebank (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9949-6290)
- David J. Lythgoe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5078-9025)
- Dene Robertson
- Ioannis Valasakis
Institutions
- Roche (Switzerland) (CH)
- Deakin University (AU)
- King's College London (GB)
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Northumbria University (GB)
- Education University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Amsterdam Neuroscience (NL)
- King's College School (GB)
- Medical Research Council (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science
- Published
- 2025-12-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100663
- Primary Topic
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Autism Speaks
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Northumbria University
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
- LGS Foundation
- Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Department of Health and Social Care
- King's College London
- European Commission
- Deakin University
- Education University of Hong Kong
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London
- NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre
- Medical Research Council
- Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King's College London, University of London
- Division of Materials Research