Cognitive functions - opioid system and gonadal hormones

Abstract

Opiates may induce long-term changes in learning and memory that might be even irreversible. The effect of opiates on cognition is gonadal hormone-specific.

Additionally, we found that opiate exposure in utero may result in long-term changes in cognitive abilities of prenatally exposed individuals that may last until adulthood.

Keywords

• cognitive function
• opioid systems
• gonadal hormones