Corticostriatal circuit models of cognitive impairments induced by fetal exposure to alcohol

The term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) includes a group of diseases caused by fetal alcohol exposure (FAE). FASD patients display heterogenous socio-emotional and cognitive deficits, particularly in the domain of executive function, which share symptoms with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the availability of several preclinical models, the developmental brain defects causally linked to behavioral deficits induced by FAE remain poorly understood. Here, we first review the effects of FAE on corticostriatal development and its impact on both corticostriatal pathway function and cognitive abilities.
Source: Biological Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research