Fetal Alcohol Exposure Reduces Adult Brain Plasticity

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

Author(s):

Research Area:

Keywords: Brain development; Neonatal health; Toxic substances

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Observations of mice from birth through young adulthood showed that fetal exposure to alcohol alters the development of brain architecture and can disturb adult brain plasticity by impeding the survival of neurons produced in adulthood and impairing the brain’s ability to remodel itself later in life.