Abstract: Substance abuse is a global public health concern that, over the past decade, has increased by 23% worldwide (UNODC, 2023). The number of people who suffer from drug use disorders in 2023 was estimated to be 39.5 million, a 45% increase over the 10 years since 2013 (UNODC, 2023). Related to this increase, approximately 5% of pregnant women now report using one or more addictive substances during pregnancy, highlighting prenatal exposure to drugs like opioids, alcohol, and cocaine as a significant global health concern with serious consequences for fetal neurodevelopment and longterm mental health (NIDA, 2020). In utero exposure to drugs of abuse can alter brain development trajectories, leading to lifelong cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric issues. Such in utero exposure is thought to disrupt early processes such as neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and cortical organization, ultimately resulting in structural and functional deficits. Until recently, progress in this research area has relied on either very limited human studies, typically involving correlative observation, or animal models. These studies are constrained by ethical considerations and interspecies differences, particularly relating to brain complexity and developmental timing.