COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
Executive Functioning in FAS/ADHD Compared to ADHD
The BRIEF
inhibit
Shift
Emotional Control
Initiate
Working Memory
Plan/Organize
Organ materials
Monitor
Bri
MI
GEC
0 20 40 60 80
control-36
ADHD-20
ARND-16
FAS-10
Research demonstrates that
there is no safe amount of
alcohol to consume during
pregnancy
Lockhart, Mahone, Mostofsky (unpublished data)
CNS Effects
•Depends upon developmental period the exposure occurs
•Depends upon the sensitivity of the region to alcohol’s toxic
effects
•Cell types throughout the CNS and within the same structure
are differentially sensitive to the toxic effects during certain
times in gestation
Brain Behavior Principles
• The extent of damage is in a “dose-response” relationship
although this is modulated by genetic variability (Binge
drinking is worse)
• There appears to be a synergistic effect of certain added
compounds like cocaine on the developing CNS
• Parts of the brain are affected differentially by alcohol
• Certain regions of the brain are damaged and other regions are
spared
• Certain cell types are damaged whereas certain cell types are
spared
• Most neurotransmitters systems appear to be affected
• The absence of dysmorphology does not indicate that the
individual is spared
Other Mechanisms of Alcohol Induced
Neurotoxicity
• Acetaldehyde formation is teratogenic and is a primary byproduct
of alcohol metabolism
• Increased apoptosis can occur from increased free radical
formation and reactive oxygen intermediates such as
superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.
• These molecules can damage proteins and lipids in cells
leading to apoptosis
• fetal tissues have less capacity to block the deleterious effects
of free radical damage because of the lower level of radical
scavengers such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and
other protecting substances
Alcohol Induced Cell Death
• The MNDA antagonist and GABA mimetic properties of
alcohol can lead to massive apoptotic neurodegeneration in
the developing brain
• Action on these receptors may be responsible for the lost of
millions of neurons during the period of synaptogenesis or
period of rapid brain growth
• May be responsible for decrease in brain size
Ikonomidou, 2000
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