Perinatal Substance Use Disorders Research

Our research focuses on substance use disorders in pregnancy and substance-exposed newborns. Specifically, we are conducting trials related to pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder in pregnancy, genetics and pharmacokinetics, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), and the long-term childhood outcomes of substance exposure in-utero.

See all of our pediatric research programs.

Contact

Principal Investigator 
Elisha Wachman 
Elisha.Wachman@bmc.org 

Project Manager
Chloe Deflorimonte
Chloe.Deflorimonte@bmc.org  

Investigators

Department of Pediatrics 
Elisha Wachman, MD
Vincent Smith, MD, MPH
Mei Elansary, MD, MPhil
Sara Stulac, MD
Mark Mirochnick, MD

Department of Obstetrics
Kelley Saia, MD
Erica Holland, MD

substance use disorder in pregnancy team at boston medical center

Research projects

  1. “MOM NEST” Study: Safety, Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacogenomics of Naltrexone in Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder (R01 HD96798), NCT03718104
    *Administrative Supplement: Extended-Release Buprenorphine in Lactating Individuals
  2. CTN-0080 Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Expectant Mothers (MOMS) Randomized Clinical Trial (UG1DA013732), NCT03918850
  3. MAT LINK (Maternal and Infant Network to Understand Outcomes Associated with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy), https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/aboutus/mat-link.html
  4. Effects of Prenatal Opioid Exposure on Placental DNA Methylation and Gene Expression, March of Dimes Research Grant
  5. POD (Placental Markers of Opioid Use Disorder on Development) Study (R01HD113143)
  6. The First Year Study: A Prospective Mixed Methods Study of Maternal and Child Well-being and Risk of Relapse in the First Year Postpartum (BU CTSI)
  7. SAFEST choice: https://www.bmc.org/addiction/training-education/safest-choice
    AAP FASD Toolkit: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/fetal-aclohol-spectrum-disorders/