[Development of embryonal brain synapses in the normal state and in maternal alcoholism]

Electron microscopy was used to study embryonal brains (n-10) of 7-12-week gestation from mothers abusing alcohol at the time of medical abortion. Control group consisted of 20 embryos from healthy women. The study group demonstrated delayed formation of synaptic structures, a great number of extrasynaptic contacts, sings of clear-type degeneration of some mature synapses.