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The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and their transmission through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms

Edward A Mead1, Dipak K Sarkar1

  • 1Rutgers Endocrine Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.

Frontiers in Genetics
|June 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, affect approximately 1% of US children. Research highlights FASD's impact on the HPA axis, immune system, and potential transgenerational effects.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) result from prenatal ethanol exposure.
  • FASD affects approximately 1% of US children and is a leading cause of preventable mental retardation.
  • These disorders are linked to significant alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immune function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current literature on FASD.
  • To emphasize the role of HPA axis dysfunction in FASD.
  • To explore the connection between HPA axis dysfunction and transgenerational inheritance in FASD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on FASD.
  • Analysis of research focusing on HPA axis function in FASD.
  • Examination of studies investigating epigenetic factors and transgenerational inheritance in FASD.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal ethanol exposure leads to HPA axis dysregulation, causing lifelong impairments.
  • FASD is associated with immune system deficits, increasing susceptibility to diseases like cancer.
  • Emerging evidence suggests a role for genetic and epigenetic factors in FASD, including potential transgenerational effects.

Conclusions:

  • FASD presents a significant public health challenge with lifelong consequences.
  • HPA axis dysfunction is a critical mechanism underlying FASD's impact.
  • Further research into epigenetic factors and transgenerational inheritance is crucial for understanding and preventing FASD.

Keywords:
FASDHPA axisfetal alcoholproopiomelanocortintransgenerational epigenetic

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