Although a considerable amount of data has been published regarding the morphological and behavioral effects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, very little information is known regarding the underlying mechanisms for these effects. Recently, alcohol's interaction with the prostaglandins has been implicated as one possible mechanism for some of the consequences associated with alcohol exposure in utero. Support for this hypothesis stems from studies showing that pretreatment with the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, aspirin and indomethacin, prior to alcohol exposure reduces fetal hypoplasia and the incidence of fetal death and malformations in mice. In this proposal, we plan to look at the role of prostaglandins in some of the behavioral and physiological effects that are found following prenatal alcohol exposure. In the first set of experiments, we will examine the effects of aspirin pretreatment will ameliorate some of the effects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. In the first set of experiments, we will examine the effects of aspirin pretreatment will ameliorate some of the effects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. In the first set of experiments, we will examine the effects of aspirin pretreatment and acute and chronic alcohol exposure on fetal movement, since alcohol exposure has been shown to result in a suppression of fetal movement. Also, reduced fetal movement has been suggested as one possible cause for some of alcohol's morphological effects. In the second series of experiments, we will examine the effects of aspirin pretreatment on sexually dimorphic behaviors and neuroanatomical structures that have been shown to be sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure. The arachidonic acid cascade, which results in the production of prostaglandins, has been implicated in some of the effects of testosterone during fetal development and thus, may play a role in some of the alcohol-related changes in sexually dimorphic behaviors that have been reported. In the third series of experiments, the effects of aspirin pretreatment on a number of behaviors that are known to be sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure will be examined to determine if this pretreatment can ameliorate some of the behavioral dysfunctions that are typically associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AA003249-19
Application #
2043000
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1988-09-01
Project End
1999-08-31
Budget Start
1995-09-01
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
San Diego State University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
073371346
City
San Diego
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92182
Thomas, J D; Riley, E P (1998) Fetal alcohol syndrome: does alcohol withdrawal play a role? Alcohol Health Res World 22:47-53
Mattson, S N; Riley, E P; Sowell, E R et al. (1996) A decrease in the size of the basal ganglia in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 20:1088-93
Mattson, S N; Riley, E P; Delis, D C et al. (1996) Verbal learning and memory in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 20:810-6
Sowell, E R; Jernigan, T L; Mattson, S N et al. (1996) Abnormal development of the cerebellar vermis in children prenatally exposed to alcohol: size reduction in lobules I-V. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 20:31-4
Kaneko, W M; Riley, E P; Ehlers, C L (1996) Effects of artificial rearing on electrophysiology and behavior in adult rats. Depress Anxiety 4:279-88
La Fiette, M H; Carlos, R; Riley, E P (1994) Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on serial pattern performance in the rat. Neurotoxicol Teratol 16:41-6
Mattson, S N; Riley, E P; Jernigan, T L et al. (1994) A decrease in the size of the basal ganglia following prenatal alcohol exposure: a preliminary report. Neurotoxicol Teratol 16:283-9
Melcer, T; Jones, C; Carlos, R et al. (1993) Recognition of food in weanling rats exposed to alcohol prenatally. Alcohol 10:225-9
Kaneko, W M; Riley, E P; Ehlers, C L (1993) Electrophysiological and behavioral findings in rats prenatally exposed to alcohol. Alcohol 10:169-78
Mattson, S N; Carlos, R; Riley, E P (1993) The behavioral teratogenicity of alcohol is not affected by pretreatment with aspirin. Alcohol 10:51-7

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