INIMEC - CONICET   05467
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION MEDICA MERCEDES Y MARTIN FERREYRA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
ALCOHOL IN THE WOMB AND DURING LACTATION: POSSIBILITIES OF A PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPRINTTING
Autor/es:
MOLINA, J.C.
Lugar:
Córdoba
Reunión:
Congreso; XIV Reunión Nacional y III Encuentro Internacional de la Asociación Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento RACC, 2013; 2013
Resumen:
Since 1968-1972, ethanol has been recognized as a teratogen. Since then, experimental, clinical and epidemiological research has been primarily focused upon the analysis of teratogenic mechanisms of the drug . Yet, the consequences of early alcohol exposure markedly exceed those related with fetal malformations or early physiological disruptions. The near term fetus and the lactating infant are likely to be exposed to moderate (non-teratogenic) alcohol doses. Different mammals, including humans, exhibit sensory and learning capabilities triggered by the presence of minimal concentrations of ethanol in the amniotic fluid, milk or perinatal blood. Olfactory familiarization with the drug is sufficient to generate memories that will impact upon later alcohol affinity. These, or other sensory stimuli, are also associated with the drug´s interoceptive effects or with the perception of disrupted maternal behaviors due to the process of acute intoxication. Alcohol-related memories acquired in utero and during lactation, merge and define later patterns of alcohol preference. The analysis of the consequences of early alcohol exposure, also reveals a critical period in development with high sensitivity to the drug´s positive and negative (antianxiety) effects. As a whole, these observations support the notion that early sensory and/or toxic experiences with even minimal amounts of alcohol, represent a significant factor in the configuration and persistence of alcohol affinity patterns.