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Frogs reveal clues about the effects of alcohol during development
April 06, 2009Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) cause malformations in babies, including facial defects, short stature, and mental and behavioral abnormalities. The African frog, Xenopus, is a valuable tool for understanding early vertebrate development since these embryos are large, easy to work with and very responsive to environmental cues. New research uses this system to address the mechanism underlying the characteristics associated with maternal consumption of alcohol in early pregnancy.
Alcohol consumption prevents normal development by inhibiting the production of retinoic acid. Under normal conditions, the levels of retinoic acid made in different areas of the embryo provide cells with necessary information about their proper location and fate. Researchers now show that alcohol steals away the molecules that make retinoic acid and use them for its own process of detoxification, resulting in cellular disorientation during a critical period of development.
The new study, published in Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM), dmm.biologists.org, provides evidence that the characteristics associated with FASD and FAS come from competition of alcohol for key molecules in a pathway that produce retinoic acid from vitamin A. Retinoic acid is needed for correct positioning of cells in developing embryos and by preventing its normal production, alcohol keeps cells from migrating to their correct positions and maturing properly. The researchers, at the Hebrew University in Israel, found that shutting down a molecule needed to produce retinoic acid, called retinaldehyde dehydrogenase or RALDH2, increased sensitivity of developing embryos to low doses of alcohol. Conversely, more of the molecule RALDH2 protected embryos from the negative effects of alcohol. This provides evidence that alcohol 'hijacks' RALDH2 molecules for its own breakdown process and steals it away from its important role in synthesizing positional and maturation cues during development.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) cause malformations in babies, including facial defects, short stature, and mental and behavioral abnormalities. The African frog, Xenopus, is a valuable tool for understanding early vertebrate development since these embryos are large, easy to work with and very responsive to environmental cues. New research uses this system to address the mechanism underlying the characteristics associated with maternal consumption of alcohol in early pregnancy.
The Company of Biologists
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) cause malformations in babies, including facial defects, short stature, and mental and behavioral abnormalities. The African frog, Xenopus, is a valuable tool for understanding early vertebrate development since these embryos are large, easy to work with and very responsive to environmental cues. New research uses this system to address the mechanism underlying the characteristics associated with maternal consumption of alcohol in early pregnancy.
The Company of Biologists
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Current Events and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder News RSSQueen's expands testing for fetal alcohol syndrome
Improved technology, partnerships and collaboration across two provinces have allowed Queen's University scientists to dramatically expand the use of eye-movement tests that help identify and assess children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Water-diffusion technology identifies brain regions damaged by prenatal alcohol exposure
Scientists know that children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) often have structural brain damage. Yet little is known about how white matter connections, and deep gray matter structures that act as relay stations, are affected in children with FASD.
Study reveals possible genetic risk for fetal alcohol disorders
New research in primates suggests that infants and children who carry a certain gene variant may be more vulnerable to the ill effects of fetal alcohol exposure.
Numbers, sequences pose problems for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) have particular difficulty understanding numbers and sequences, a University of Alberta study shows.
Ultrasounds show mothers' drinking shrinks fetal brain
Routine ultrasounds show that heavy drinkers who continue to imbibe after learning they are pregnant may carry fetuses with reduced skull and brain growth compared to those of abstainers or quitters, says a new study.
New 'eye movement' test may help treat fetal alcohol syndrome
A simple test that measures eye movement may help to identify children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and ultimately lead to improved treatment for the condition, say Queen's University researchers.
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Finding Perspective... Raising Successful Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by Liz Lawryk (Author) Since no two individuals are ever affected by prenatal alcohol exposure exactly the same way, the goal of this book is to provide specialized methods designed for the patient?s unique abilities as opposed to a generalized FASD approach. Most of the ideas in this book have been long established in foundation and practice by the real experts ? parents. The OBD 3 Step Plan of Action! addresses these issues and provides an easy to follow guide to understanding a very complex medical diagnosis of organic brain dysfunction and encourages caregivers to construct and implement their own strategies based on factual information and not guesswork. The focus is on identification and promotion of an individual?s strengths, while respecting their challenges and finding some humour at the end of the day. |
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ADHD And Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) by Kieran D. O'Malley (Editor) This multi-author book will discuss the history and clinical presentation of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders(FASD) i.e Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND). These developmental neuropsychiatric disorders result from prenatal exposure to alcohol during any gestational period of pregnancy. The book will particularly address the co-occurring presence of ADHD in patients with FASD. ADHD is the most frequent neuropsychiatric presentation of FASD throughout the lifespan and it is particularly difficult to manage because the underlying pathophysiology is related to prenatal neurotoxic brain injury.Although prenatal alcohol exposure, and the resulting FASD, is recognised as the commonest preventable cause of intellectual disability, many clinicians... |
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Damaged Angels: An Adoptive Mother¿s Struggle to Understand the Tragic Toll of Alcohol in Pregnancy by Bonnie Buxton (Author) Part heartfelt memoir, part practical guide, Damaged Angels recounts Bonnie Buxton's struggles to raise an adopted daughter whom she didn't realize was afflicted with fetal alcohol disorder. Her book also offers guidance to parents who have children with FASD. By the time Bonnie’s daughter Colette hit first grade, her parents were coping with her frequent stealing and lying, and the necessity of special education. At fourteen, she discovered drugs and sex; by eighteen, she was a crack addict living on the streets. After many frustrating years consulting numerous therapists, a TV news story gave Bonnie the answer she was looking for — and sent her on a quest for a diagnosis and help for Colette. Damaged Angels can aid and comfort all those affected by FASD — the most common cause of... |
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RECOVERING HOPE FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS by MOTHERS SPEAK OUT (Author) |
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Should fetal alcohol spectrum disorder be included in DSM-V?(ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY): An article from: Clinical Psychiatry News by Doug Brunk (Author) This digital document is an article from Clinical Psychiatry News, published by International Medical News Group on August 1, 2009. The length of the article is 1162 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Should fetal alcohol spectrum disorder be included in DSM-V?(ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY) Author: Doug Brunk Publication: Clinical Psychiatry News (Magazine/Journal) Date: August 1, 2009 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 37 Issue: 8 Page: 26(1) Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage... | |
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: understanding the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and supporting students.: An article from: Journal of School Health by Jennifer H. Green (Author) This digital document is an article from Journal of School Health, published by Thomson Gale on March 1, 2007. The length of the article is 4421 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. From the author: Keywords: FAS; alcohol exposure; intervention; diagnosis. Citation Details Title: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: understanding the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and supporting students. Author: Jennifer H. Green Publication: Journal of School Health (Magazine/Journal) Date: March 1, 2007 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 77 Issue: 3 Page:... |
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