Alterations in gait following ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt in rats.
Walking patterns were assessed in rats that had been exposed to alcohol neonatally during a period encompassing the brain growth spurt. Rat pups were exposed via an artificial rearing technique to either a 2.50% (w/v) or 2.15% (w/v) EtOH-milk formula on Days 26-32 postconception. An artificially reared control group and a suckle-control group were also included in the experiment. Gait patterns were assessed in animals from each of the neonatal treatment groups at 43, 67, and 87 days postconception. No differences in gait patterns were evident on Day 43 postconception; however, on Days 67 and 87 animals exposed to alcohol during the neonatal period displayed an abnormal gait. These animals had a shortened stride length and an increased angle of placement of the hindfeet relative to artificially reared and suckle-control animals. The altered gait pattern may be the result of alcohol-induced hippocampal and cerebellar damage during the brain growth spurt.
Meyer
L S
LS
Center for Behavioral Teratology, Psychology Department, State University of New York-Albany 12222.
Kotch
L E
LE
Riley
E P
EP
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D005774:Gastrostomy; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors
D000431:Ethanol