Reyiew Functional Damage in the Developing Brain lnduced by Maternal Environmental Agents : Ethanol , Tbbacco and Low - Copper Level

Tb evaluate tests for behaviora] teratology in animals, brain dysfunction caused by maternal environmental ugents is compared both epidemio]egical]y and experimental[y. Ethanol: The features of CNS involvement in human FAS (fetul alcohol syndrome) and FAE (fetal alcoho] effects) are developmental delay and intellectual impairment. One of thc most vulnerablc structures in the rat fetus exposed to cthanel in utero is the synaptic formation in the hippocampus. What test for brain dysfunctions, uch as deficits in learning, inhibition a d attention, is there? rlbbacco: Thirty-three percent of human FTS (feta] tobacco syndrgme) cases huvc CNS involvement, which is characterized by developmental delay, and behavioral problems such as a $hort attention span and hyperactiyity. As te the concomitant effects of ethanol and tobacco on human offspring, CNS involvement appeared to be most specific for alcohol exposure, but was also observed slightly with smoking without drinking. How can the effccts of concomitant substances be discriminated in an animal test? Low-copper level in brain: Related to thc development of their offspring, abnormal movements in brindled mutant mouse heterozygotes are observed, These findings may be infiuenced by beth copper and oxygen radical metabolism, The teratogenic effects of triethylene tetramine dihydrechloride, a chelating drug for copper on the fetal mouse brain are noted both gross]y and microscopically. How can the abnormal CNS development in relation to a certain biochemical mechanism be detected by means of an animal test? In conclusion, to examine behavioral teratology in unimals, specificity and accuracy should be considered in comparison with jn humans.