Heroin, a commonly used opioid, has played a significant role in the escalating opioid crisis, highlighting the urgent need to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying its addictive properties. Despite well-documented sex differences in opioid use disorder (OUD), the majority of preclinical research has been conducted in male animal models, limiting our understanding of how biological sex influences addiction-related behaviors. This study investigates the role of sex differences in heroin-induced locomotor sensitization and hormonal adaptations in a rodent model. Using a rodent model, we administered intravenous heroin and tracked activity to assess sensitization to the effects of heroin on locomotion. Following treatment, the rats underwent 20 days of withdrawal from heroin. Blood samples were collected throughout treatment and withdrawal to track changes in serum hormone levels. Our findings indicate that female rats show locomotor sensitization at an earlier time point and exhibit a greater degree of escalation compared to males. This suggests potential sex-specific mechanisms influencing opioid addiction vulnerability and progression. We aim to continue quantifying gonadal hormone fluctuations throughout heroin exposure and withdrawal with additional cohorts of animals. Future experiments aim to use fiber photometry to image estradiol activity in the brain during sensitization, providing a real-time insight into its role in opioid-induced changes in behaviors.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, yet its prevalence has remained remarkably steady over the past four decades, despite major advancements in neonatal care and diagnostic technologies. This literature review investigates the underlying factors contributing to the constant rate. The critical focus is on how race, gender, and socioeconomic status shape the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of individuals with cerebral palsy. Focusing on peer-reviewed studies from 2005 to 2024, this review identifies systematic inequalities in access to care, early intervention, and diagnostic imaging in equity that disproportionately affect low-income families, racially minoritized groups, and communities with limited healthcare access. The findings show a significant gap in intersectional research, mostly regarding gender differences in CP presentation and care, and calls attention to the underrepresentation of lived experiences and current data. By synthesizing medical, social, and policy-oriented perspectives, this review argues that CP is not solely a biological condition, but a reflection of deeply rooted social disparities. To achieve equity and outcomes, future research must prioritize exclusive, longitudinal designs and systemic reform to dismantle barriers in early detection and intervention for all children. The review emphasizes the urgent need for more exclusive research to inform policy and practice, ensuring that all children with CP receive timely, high-quality care regardless of their background.