Developmental Neurotoxicity of Alcohol: Effects and Mechanisms of Ethanol on the Developing Brain

Xiaolu Zhang, Joel G. Hashimoto, Marina Guizzetti

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) encompasses all the consequences of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy in the offspring. Central nervous system dysfunctions and structural and functional brain abnormalities are the most deleterious consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure leading to cognitive and behavioral impairment that affect individuals throughout life. This chapter describes the cognitive, neurobehavioral, and brain structural abnormalities identified in humans following in utero alcohol exposure. This chapter also describes FASD animal models used in research to increase the understanding of the consequences of alcohol exposure during gestation on the developing brain. Finally, this chapter describes the cellular/molecular mechanisms involved in the developmental neurotoxicity of alcohol as well as the interventions that have been proposed and are currently under investigation to improve the consequences of in utero alcohol exposure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationLinking Environmental Exposure to Neurodevelopmental Disorders
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages115-144
Number of pages30
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2018

Publication series

NameAdvances in Neurotoxicology
Volume2
ISSN (Electronic)2468-7480

Keywords

  • Animal models
  • Apoptosis
  • Brain
  • Epigenetics
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
  • Fetal development
  • Glial cells
  • Neurobehavioral deficits
  • Neuronal plasticity
  • Neurons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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