LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EARLY OPIOID EXPOSURE ON NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION

The Opioid Crisis has resulted in numerous fatalities due to the widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids. Adolescents have been particularly affected by this crisis, with the impact on them being significantly more pronounced than on adults. When examining the effects of opioids on neuromuscular function, three primary effects emerge: firstly, opioids can affect the glial cells in the spinal cord, and overuse of these substances can lead to neuroinflammation in the brain, disrupting motor neuron signaling and resulting in poor muscle control. Secondly, there is an effect on neuromuscular transmission; opioid abuse, especially among adolescents, can result in reduced excitatory signals, which may lead to muscle weakness and slowed reflexes. This slowdown in neuromuscular transmission can also give rise to various neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis. Lastly, opioids can impact the autonomic nervous system, which controls the muscles responsible for various bodily functions. Overuse of opioids can lead to a range of symptoms and affect other muscles, including cardiac muscle in the cardiovascular system and smooth muscle in the respiratory system.