Maternal alcohol exposure during mid-pregnancy dilates fetal cerebral arteries via endocannabinoid receptors

Prenatal alcohol exposure often results in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Mechanisms of fetal brain damage by alcohol remain unclear. We used baboons (Papio spp.) to study alcohol-driven changes in the fetal cerebral artery endocannabinoid system. Pregnant baboons were subjected to binge alcohol exposure via gastric infusion three times during a period equivalent to the second trimester of human pregnancy. A control group was infused with orange-flavored drink that was isocaloric to the alcohol-containing solution.

Source: Alcohol - May 18, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Olga Seleverstov, Ana Tobiasz, J. Scott Jackson, Ryan Sullivan, Dejian Ma, J. Pierce Sullivan, Steven Davison, Yada Akkhawattanangkul, Danielle L. Tate, Terry Costello, Stacey Barnett, Wei Li, Giancarlo Mari, Alex M. Dopico, Anna N. Bukiya Source Type: research