Sex differences in morphine sensitivity of neuroligin-3 knockout mice.

Sex has a strong influence on the prevalence and course of brain conditions, including autism spectrum disorders. The mechanistic basis for these sex differences remains poorly understood, due in part to historical bias in biomedical research favoring analysis of male subjects, and the exclusion of female subjects. For example, studies of male mice carrying autism-associated mutations in neuroligin-3 are over-represented in the literature, including our own prior work showing diminished responses to chronic morphine exposure in male neuroligin-3 knockout mice.

Sex Differences in Morphine Sensitivity of Neuroligin-3 Knockout Mice.

Sex has a strong influence on the prevalence and course of brain conditions, including autism spectrum disorders. The mechanistic basis for these sex differences remains poorly understood, due in part to historical bias in biomedical research favoring analysis of male subjects, and the exclusion of female subjects. For example, studies of male mice carrying autism-associated mutations in neuroligin-3 are over-represented in the literature, including our own prior work showing diminished responses to chronic morphine exposure in male neuroligin-3 knockout mice.

Neuroligin-3 in dopaminergic circuits promotes behavioural and neurobiological adaptations to chronic morphine exposure.

Chronic opioid exposure causes structural and functional changes in brain circuits, which may contribute to opioid use disorders. Synaptic cell-adhesion molecules are prime candidates for mediating this opioid-evoked plasticity. Neuroligin-3 (NL3) is an X-linked postsynaptic adhesion protein that shapes synaptic function at multiple sites in the mesolimbic dopamine system.