Alcohol and the developing brain: Neuroanatomical studies Academic Article

abstract

• One of the distinguishing features of prenatal alcohol exposure is impaired cognitive and behavioral function resulting from damage to the central nervous system. Information available from the small number of autopsied cases in humans indicates that the offspring of mothers who abused alcohol during pregnancy have various neuroanatomical alterations ranging from gross reductions in brain size to cellular alterations. Recent neuroimaging technology provides the most powerful tool for assessing the neurotoxic effects of fetal alcohol exposure in living organisms and for exploring the relationship between behavioral dysfunction and brain damage at the regional level. Recently, animal research has suggested that the damaging effects of alcohol exposure during brain development could be prevented or attenuated by various pharmacological manipulations or by complex motor training. These promising findings provide directions for developing future prevention or intervention strategies.

authors

• Chen, Wei-Jung

published proceedings

• ALCOHOL RESEARCH & HEALTH

author list (cited authors)

• Chen, W., Maier, S. E., Parnell, S. E., & West, J. R.

complete list of authors

• Chen, WJA||Maier, SE||Parnell, SE||West, JR

publication date

• December 2003

published in

• Alcohol research : current reviews  Journal

keywords

• AODR (alcohol And Other Drug Related) Behavioral Problem
• Brain Damage
• CNS Function
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Cognitive Development
• Drug Therapy
• Fetal Alcohol Effects
• Mitochondria
• Neuroimaging
• Neurotoxicity
• Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
• Prevention Strategy

start page

• 174

end page

• 180

volume

• 27

issue

• 2