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Neonatal Ethanol and Choline Treatments Alter the Morphology of Developing Rat Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons in

C M Goeke1, M L Roberts2, J G Hashimoto1

  • 1VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.

Neuroscience
|February 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Developmental ethanol (EtOH) exposure increased apical dendrite complexity in rat pups. Choline (Chol) treatment alone decreased dendritic length and arborization, and did not rescue EtOH-induced changes in hippocampal neurons.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) cause neurobehavioral deficits.
  • A rat model mimics FASDs using gestational ethanol (EtOH) exposure.
  • Choline (Chol) has shown promise in ameliorating EtOH-induced behavioral changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of EtOH and Chol on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron morphology.
  • To analyze changes in dendritic complexity and parameters following neonatal exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Golgi-Cox staining was used to visualize neurons in Sprague-Dawley rat pups.
  • Neurolucida tracing and analysis quantified morphometric parameters of CA1 pyramidal neurons.
  • Neonatal rats received daily intragastric intubation of EtOH and/or Chol.

Main Results:

  • EtOH exposure increased apical dendrite complexity in both male and female pups.
  • EtOH did not significantly alter basal dendrite parameters.
  • Chol treatment alone decreased basal dendrite length and number in males; co-treatment did not reverse EtOH effects.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental EtOH exposure may lead to premature neuronal maturation and restricted plasticity.
  • Choline treatment appears to delay normal neuronal maturation, potentially prolonging the plasticity window.
  • Chol did not prevent EtOH-induced morphological changes in hippocampal neurons in this study.

Keywords:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisordersGolgi–Cox stainingapical dendritesbasal dendriteshippocampuspyramidal neurons

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