The importance of alcohol misuse, malnutrition and genetic susceptibility on brain growth and plasticity

Pregnancy and alcohol misuse

“…3 Only a small proportion of children born to mothers with alcohol misuse fulfil the full diagnostic criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome. However, a recent expert review suggested that children with the syndrome are only a small proportion of the total number of children with alcohol induced neurobehavioural deficits, now defined as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.…”

“…12 Alcohol exerts its neurotoxic effects on the developing brain by direct action on fetal cerebral tissue, and indirectly either by interfering with placental physiology or by impairing maternal physiology. 3 Alcohol misuse in pregnancy is also frequently associated with other circumstances, such as poor nutrition and smoking, that could increase brain damage in the fetus. 3 The neurotoxic effects of alcohol depend on the amount and pattern of alcohol consumption and on the timing of exposure in relation to the developmental stage of the cells and embryonic tissues.…”

“…3 Alcohol misuse in pregnancy is also frequently associated with other circumstances, such as poor nutrition and smoking, that could increase brain damage in the fetus. 3 The neurotoxic effects of alcohol depend on the amount and pattern of alcohol consumption and on the timing of exposure in relation to the developmental stage of the cells and embryonic tissues. 3 Animal models have proved particularly useful in helping us to understand dose related damage to the fetal brain.…”

“…3 The neurotoxic effects of alcohol depend on the amount and pattern of alcohol consumption and on the timing of exposure in relation to the developmental stage of the cells and embryonic tissues. 3 Animal models have proved particularly useful in helping us to understand dose related damage to the fetal brain. 3 In rats, heavy ethanol intake during the brain growth spurt in the early postnatal period (which corresponds to the third trimester and early infancy in humans) significantly reduces the weight of the forebrain, brain stem, and cerebellum.…”

“…2 Binge drinking is particularly harmful in early pregnancy. 3 Research in the United States showed that between 9% and 15% of American women use alcohol at least once a month during pregnancy. The proportion of women using substances is less at term than in early pregnancy.…”