Cerebral metabolic alterations in rats following prenatal alcohol exposure: a deoxyglucose study

Numerous reports dealing with the gross morphological, microanatomical, and behavioral changes occurring with prenatal alcohol exposure in rats have appeared. In order to define the cerebral metabolic correlates of prenatal alcohol exposure, in vivo glucose utilization rates in brain were assayed using an autoradiographic [14C]deoxyglucose technique. Pregnant Long-Evans rats were fed liquid diets containing either 35% or 0% ethanol-derived calories during day 6 through day 20 of gestation. These liquid diets were isocaloric and a pair-feeding procedure was employed. The offspring were tested on shuttle avoidance techniques at 90 days of age; at 105 days of age all animals were subjected to the deoxyglucose procedures. Prenatal alcohol exposure resulted in a deficit in shuttle avoidance and yielded chronic effects on brain metabolism. Significant decreases in glucose utilization were seen in many structures within sensory, motor, and limbic systems. Significant increases in glucose consumption were found in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial axis. In summary long-term behavioral and brain metabolic alterations were seen in rats exposed prenatally to alcohol.