Paternal methamphetamine exposure enhances methamphetamine susceptibility in male rat offspring

Here, we sought to determine whether this phenotype extended to another psychostimulant, methamphetamine. Surprisingly, relative to saline-sired rats, male, but not female, methamphetamine-sired offspring demonstrated increased susceptibility to methamphetamine taking.

Single nuclei RNA- and ATAC-sequencing of the nucleus accumbens was used to identify molecular drivers of phenotypes in cocaine- and methamphetamine-sired offspring. Sequencing results revealed unique profiles of gene expression and open chromatin in offspring nucleus accumbens. Differential gene expression in cocaine-resistant, cocaine-sired offspring and methamphetamine-susceptible, methamphetamine-sired offspring illuminates potential novel treatment targets for psychostimulant use disorders.