Citation: Thomas, J.D., La Fiette, M.H., Quinn, R.E., & Riley, E.P. (2000). Neonatal choline supplementation ameliorates the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on a discrimination learning task in rats. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 22, 703-711.
Abstract Type: Animal Study
Conclusion: Neonatal (just after birth) administration of choline reduced the severity of fetal alcohol effects. In addition, the beneficial effects were long lasting, and suggest permanent changes in brain development. Finally, choline supplementation improved performance in rats not prenatally exposed to alcohol, although to a lesser degree. These findings confirm those found by prior researchers.
Purpose: Cognitive and learning deficits observed in those with prenatal alcohol exposure has led researchers to postulate that damage to the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is involved in memory, is one of the effects of such exposure. Animal studies have supported this theory, and have identified that early alcohol exposure changes cholinergic functioning (choline is a dietary component of many food that is required for proper cell membrane structure and function) in this area of the brain. The authors sought to determine if choline supplementation in rats could enhance learning and memory, and therefore serve as a possible treatment for reducing the severity of fetal alcohol effects. In a controlled study that contained ethanol-exposed and pair-fed rats as well as those fed regular lab chow, researchers tested the rats in a discrimination exercise following administration of choline.
Findings: Ethanol-exposed and pair-fed rats gained less weight than those rats fed lab chow. Choline was administered to a select number of rats on the second day after birth. Ethanol-exposed rats to whom choline had not been administered learned the discrimination task at a significantly slower rate than those that were not exposed. Neonatal treatment with choline improved the performance of all rats, with the largest improvement among those that had been ethanol-exposed. Choline-treated ethanol exposed rats performed at control levels. Choline was discontinued on day 21, and testing started on day 45.
Implications: Persuading women to abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy is a sizable undertaking. Given that 100% abstinence (especially during the first four weeks of pregnancy) is difficult to achieve, it is desirable to develop treatment strategies for reducing the severity of the prenatal alcohol effects on the fetus. Based on the data presented in this study, neonatal administration of choline offers such a possibility.
Email Address: thomas3@mail.sdsu.edu
Citation: Vink, J. Auth, J., Abebe, D.T., Brenneman, D.E., & Spong, C.Y. (2005). Novel peptides prevent alcohol-induced spatial learning deficits and proinflammatory cytokine release in a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 193(3), 825-829.
Abstract Type: Animal Study
Conclusion: The administration of two peptides, NAPVSIPQ and SALLRSPIA, during gestation produced enhanced spatial learning in mice that had been prenatally exposed to alcohol. Data supported the role of cytokines in this process, and suggest that the peptides have effects that prevent oxidative damage.
Purpose: Research has demonstrated that two peptides, NAPVSIPQ and SALLRSPIA, have been shown to prevent fetal death and growth abnormalities in rats exposed prenatally to alcohol. This study evaluated the effect of these peptides on long-term learning abnormalities, and specifically on specific cytokines (proteins involved in embryo development) in the body. Pregnant mice were injected with ethanol on day 8 of gestation, with a subset of these rats pretreated with the peptides. Adult offspring (more than 35 but less than 50 days old) were tested on a Morris water-maze to assess spatial learning. In addition, some embryos were dissected following peptide/alcohol administration to determine possible mechanisms.
Findings: The alcohol-treated mice showed no evidence of learning over a 7 day period, whereas the peptide/alcohol-treated mice showed a learning profile not unlike that of the control group, to which no alcohol had been administered. Peptide-treated mice (without alcohol) demonstrated learning that was superior to the control mice. With respect to the effect on cytokines, the study showed that alcohol increases cytokine levels, and that the administration of the peptides prevent such increases.
Implications: Given the challenges inherent in assuring 100% abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy, it is of value to research and identify possible treatments for mitigating the damage of prenatal alcohol exposure on the fetus. The administration of two peptides during gestation offers the potential for accomplishing this with respect to spatial learning. Research needs to be conducted in order to translate results achieved in animal so as to address the human population.
Email Address: jyv5y@virginia.edu