title: CNS aspects of prenatal drug exposure: drugs of abuse, toxins, and corticosteroids.
abstract: Studies of the effects of prenatal exposure (to drugs or environmental factors) on postnatal brain morphology and function have an important role in assessing adverse effects of prenatal administration of corticosteroids in obstetrics, in studying the impairment of the offspring due to maternal drug abuse, as well as in studies of the influence of other environmental factors (such as toxins or stress). Timing, duration, and dose of the prenatal exposure play a significant role in the postnatal expression of the impact. However, data interpretation may be complicated by additional factors. As mixed litters of prenatally exposed subjects are evaluated, significant differences between males and females may occur. Additionally in females, cyclical changes in ovarian steroids may interfere with the effects of prenatal impact. Developmental differences may be also present, and data from infant, juvenile, prepubertal, and adult individuals cannot be simply compared. Finally, prenatal treatment is a stressful event and may present itself as prenatal stress, misguiding the interpretation. Postnatal environmental factors in raising the offspring, such as housing, maternal care, light-dark cycle, and weaning age can also change the data in such a way, which makes comparisons between different research laboratories impossible.
authors.affiliation: AECOM, K314, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. velisek@aecom.yu.edu
authors.forename: Libor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Velísek
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000633:toxicity*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced; D012737:Sex Factors; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D014118:Toxins, Biological