Recent findings on the mechanisms by which alcohol damages the developing nervous system.
General etiologic categories related to possible mechanisms of fetal alcohol-induced brain damage are explored. Possible general mechanisms include alterations in protein synthesis, prostaglandins, gangliosides, hypoxia and free radical damage. A multiple systems cascade is presented to illustrate how multiple mechanisms could act together to produce a variety of effects.
West
J R
JR
Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station 77843-1114, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000196:embryology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D011453:Prostaglandins; D013723:Teratogens; D000431:Ethanol; D014212:Tretinoin