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Prenatal Exposure to Low Alcohol and Alcohol Motivation in the Offspring
Ricardo M Pautassi1, María Carolina Fabio2, Mónica Sanchez2
1Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina. rpautassi@immf.uncor.edu.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 2026
Summary
Low-dose prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) increases offspring
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause long-term behavioral changes.
- Low-dose PAE effects on alcohol motivation are poorly understood.
- High-dose PAE is known for teratogenic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine low-dose PAE's impact on alcohol's motivational effects.
- Investigate how PAE alters alcohol's rewarding vs. aversive properties.
- Understand early-life risk factors for problematic drinking.
Main Methods:
- Preclinical rodent models of moderate PAE (1-3 g/kg/day).
- Behavioral paradigms: conditioned place preference, taste aversion.
- Operant self-administration studies.
Main Results:
- PAE enhances sensitivity to alcohol's appetitive effects.
- PAE reduces sensitivity to alcohol's aversive effects.
- PAE increases motivation for alcohol-seeking behavior.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose PAE promotes alcohol-seeking behavior.
- Neurobiological changes mediate these motivational alterations.
- Findings offer insights into early-life risk factors for alcohol problems.
Keywords:
Conditioned place preferenceEthanol motivationNeurodevelopmentOperant self-administrationPrenatal alcohol exposureReward sensitivity
