Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure leads to attention deficits in both male and female rats. (16th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ruixiang; Martin, Connor D.; Lei, Anna L.; Hausknecht, Kathryn A.; Ishiwari, Keita; Oubraim, Saida; Wang, An‐Li; Richards, Jerry B.; Haj‐Dahmane, Samir; Shen, Roh‐Yu
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 45:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1122
• Page End: 1135
• Publication Date: 2021-04-16
• Subjects: attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- fetal alcohol spectrum disorders -- impulsivity -- moderate prenatal alcohol exposure -- reaction time; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.14599
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Attention deficits caused by prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure (PE) are a prevalent condition in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Importantly, the deficits are observed in individuals with FASD who have normal IQs and show no dysmorphic facial features caused by heavy PE. These observations suggest that even moderate PE could lead to attention deficits. This possibility was investigated in the present study using a rat model. Methods: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were administered EtOH (3 g/kg/day) or vehicle via intragastric gavage on gestational days 8 to 20. The blood EtOH concentration (BEC) in EtOH‐treated rats was 87.7 ± 1.2 mg/dl (1 h after the gavage), similar to the BECs reported in other moderate PE studies in rodents. Moderate PE did not produce teratogenic effects on birthweight or litter size. The adult offspring underwent a 2‐choice reaction time task. Results: Moderate PE led to augmented action impulsivity in both sexes, indicated by more rapid response initiation and more premature responses. Deficits were more marked in males than in females. No greater lapses of attention, assessed by incorrect or relatively slow responses, were observed in rats of either sex with moderate PE. In addition, no deficits in learning or motor function were detected after moderate PE. Interestingly, rats with moderate PE completed more trials than controls. Conclusions: Our results confirm that moderate PE leads to attention deficits in both sexes, which is demonstrated by greater action impulsivity, but not more lapses of attention. This effect differs from that of heavy PE, as shown in our previous study, which is manifested as impaired action impulsivity and lapses of attention in both sexes. Abstract : Attention deficits caused by prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) are a prevalent condition in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Even moderate PE can cause attention deficits. A valid rodent model can help elucidate the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Using a 2‐choice reaction time task, we show that moderate PE leads to increased action impulsivity in adult rats of both sexes, reflected by augmented premature responses and faster response initiation. In contrast, PE does not lead to increased lapses of attention.