Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marcela C. Smid, Torri D. Metz, Gwen A. McMillin, Lisa Mele, Brian M. Casey, Uma M. Reddy, Ronald J. Wapner, John M. Thorp, George R. Saade, Alan T. N. Tita, Emily S. Miller, Dwight J. Rouse, Baha Sibai, Maged M. Costantine, Brian M. Mercer, Steve N. Caritis
Summary: This study examined the association between the presence of nicotine or cannabis metabolites in maternal urine and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. The results showed that prenatal nicotine or cannabis exposure was not associated with differences in IQ. However, cannabis exposure was associated with lower attention scores in early childhood. The study highlights the need for longitudinal studies to assess the association between prenatal nicotine and cannabis exposure and child neurodevelopmental outcomes, with a focus on timing and quantity of exposure.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dana Ronen, Yehuda Senecky, Gabriel Chodick, Esther Ganelin-Cohen
Summary: This study aimed to assess the external validity of the Neurobehavioral Screening Tool (NST) and identify additional characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in a cohort of Israeli children and young adults. The NST demonstrated a sensitivity of 72%-73% and specificity of 34%-36% in identifying FASD. Other characteristics of the FASD group included emotional regulation difficulties, being born and adopted in Israel, and younger age at the first clinic visit.
EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Preeti Kar, Jess E. Reynolds, William Ben Gibbard, Carly McMorris, Christina Tortorelli, Catherine Lebel
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with alterations in brain white matter microstructure. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure show slower white matter development in certain brain regions, which may have implications for cognitive and behavioral learning.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Eileen M. Moore, Yingjing Xia
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure can interfere with neurodevelopment and have detrimental effects on brain structure, function, cognition, behavior, and mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with PAE have atypical developmental trajectories in brain cortical and white matter microstructure during childhood and adolescence. More research is needed to investigate the role of factors such as sex and postnatal experiences, as well as the long-term developmental trajectories beyond young adulthood.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shameena Bake, Marisa R. Pinson, Sivani Pandey, Joanna P. Chambers, Roxanna Mota, Ashlyn E. Fairchild, Rajesh C. Miranda, Farida Sohrabji
Summary: The study shows that prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to neurobehavioral anomalies in adult offspring, with significant gender differences. Peripheral inflammation is associated with poor glucose metabolism and neurocognitive deficits in offspring, reduced spleen Treg numbers, increased circulating monocytes in male offspring, and suppressed cytokine levels in PAE males.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Katarzyna Anna Dylag, Florencia Anunziata, Gretchen Bandoli, Christina Chambers
Summary: Since the identification of fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol has been acknowledged as a teratogen in humans. However, the connection between prenatal alcohol exposure and a wide range of major birth defects remains poorly understood. This review aimed to provide a summary of the evidence regarding the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and major congenital abnormalities. The strongest evidence to date suggests a link between alcohol exposure and herniation, oral clefts, and cardiac defects. The evidence for gastrointestinal anomalies, diaphragmatic hernia, genitourinary anomalies, and neural tube defects is less consistent. There is no substantial support for an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and choanal atresia, biliary atresia, or clubfoot.
Review
Oncology
Mitchell Bestry, Martyn Symons, Alexander Larcombe, Evelyne Muggli, Jeffrey M. Craig, Delyse Hutchinson, Jane Halliday, David Martino
Summary: The evidence regarding the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring DNA methylation is inconclusive. There is insufficient evidence to support global disruption of DNA methylation from prenatal alcohol exposure. Limited evidence suggests hypomethylation at IGF2/H19 regions within somatic tissues. Methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) investigating the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on offspring DNA methylation show inconsistent results. Further research is needed, especially in populations with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), to establish reproducible associations.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Misty Pruner, Tracy Jirikowic, Carolyn Baylor, Susan Astley Hemingway
Summary: Caregiver-reported assessments allow caregivers to share their concerns and identify strengths in infants/toddlers with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This study examined the type and frequency of caregiver-reported concerns and strengths in a sample of infants/toddlers undergoing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic evaluation. Numerous concerns and strengths were identified across multiple categories, with the most common concerns related to aggressive behavior, language/communication, and sensory processing. The most frequently reported strengths were happiness, sociability, and love. These findings highlight the importance of caregiver perspectives and the need to recognize and address both challenges and strengths in PAE-affected infants/toddlers.
Article
Neurosciences
Mumin Alper Erdogan, Miray Turk, Gizem Dinler Doganay, Ibrahim Halil Sever, Bahattin Ozkul, Ibrahim Sogut, Ebru Eroglu, Yigit Uyanikgil, Oytun Erbas
Summary: Recent research suggests that the COVID-19 virus could potentially affect embryonic organs, including the brain. This study investigates the effects of exposure to the spike protein of the virus during pregnancy. The findings indicate that exposure to the spike protein may lead to neurodevelopmental problems, such as autistic symptoms, and harmful effects on specific brain regions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Katherine Flannigan, Aamena Kapasi, Jacqueline Pei, Isabel Murdoch, Gail Andrew, Carmen Rasmussen
Summary: Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) experience high levels of early adversity, including abandonment, caregiver disruption, and exposure to household substance use. Females have significantly higher rates of sexual abuse than males. Participants diagnosed with FASD are less likely to be raised by both biological parents or have been exposed to household mental health problems compared to those not diagnosed.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amy E. Margolis, Bruce Ramphal, David Pagliaccio, Sarah Banker, Ena Selmanovic, Lauren Thomas, Pam Factor-Litvak, Frederica Perera, Bradley S. Peterson, Andrew Rundle, Julie B. Herbstman, Jeff Goldsmith, Virginia Rauh
Summary: Prenatal exposure to air pollution is associated with deficits in inhibitory control and academic achievement in adolescence. Inhibitory control plays a significant role in mediating the effects of pollution exposure on academic achievement during adolescence. The study suggests the importance of targeting inhibitory control deficits for interventions aimed at improving academic outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Cantao Yang, Jian Xue, Qizhong Qin, Yinyin Xia, Shuqun Cheng, Xuejun Jiang, Shanshan Zhang, Zhaohong Lu, Xia Qin, Jun Zhang, Lejiao Mao, Shangcheng Xu, Jingfu Qiu, Zhen Zou, Chengzhi Chen
Summary: This study found that gestational exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles may cause persistent neurobehavioral impairments in maternal mice and may be associated with disruption of the gut-brain axis. These findings provide a new insight for the prevention of neurotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in pregnant women.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sophia L. Young, Linda A. Gallo, Denise S. K. Brookes, Nicole Hayes, Maree Maloney, Karen Liddle, Amanda James, Karen M. Moritz, Natasha Reid
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure can have negative effects on skeletal growth, especially during adolescence. Early diagnosis and medical follow-up for FASDs are crucial for optimizing bone growth and body composition.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengwei Li, Noriyoshi Usui, Shoichi Shimada
Summary: Sexual differentiation is a crucial process that leads to sex differences. Understanding the causes and mechanisms behind these differences can provide valuable insights into the development of neurodevelopmental disorders with sex biases. This review examines the association between prenatal testosterone exposure and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the sex-specific behaviors in individuals with ASD. It also explores the potential role of maternal immune activation-induced developmental abnormalities in ASD and suggests a future approach for studying sex biases in ASD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shameena Bake, Siara K. Rouzer, Shruti Mavuri, Rajesh C. Miranda, Amanda H. Mahnke
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to developmental abnormalities in cells and tissues, resulting in a range of physical and neurobehavioral disorders. Genetic sex plays a significant role in the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on offspring. Understanding how sex and prenatal alcohol exposure interact is crucial for identifying associated complications and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
