Background: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a devastating disorder whose mechanisms may be best investigated using animal models. Here we present a novel zebrafish FAS model to investigate the effects of low to moderate alcohol exposure during early development on learning. Methods: At 24-hours postfertilization zebrafish embryos were exposed to low doses of ethanol (external concentrations = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% vol/vol) for a very short duration (2 hours). Upon adulthood associative learning in the zebrafish was tested in a plus maze. Results: This exposure led to no gross anatomical abnormalities or increased morbidity or mortality. Overall activity was not significantly affected by embryonic ethanol exposure. A trend towards a dose-dependent decrease in learning and memory performance was observed. Conclusions: We suggest that zebrafish will be an appropriate model with which one can analyze the behavioural effects of embryonic alcohol exposure and the mechanisms of the ensuing abnormalities.

In 1996, the Institute of Medicine made an initial step towards addressing the confusion and controversy regarding the diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) by proposing a classification scheme and calling for research to evaluate its validity and clinical utility. Previous research evaluated memory, executive functions, and behaviour problems in FAS. Prior to the present study, however, there had not been an empirical evaluation of the existence of a spectrum of diagnostic subgroups or an evaluation of subgroup functioning on neuropsychological components of attention during the pre-teen and adolescent years. Part 1 of this study used categorical data regarding diagnostic domains to determine if an a priori spectrum of four subgroups could be identified. This spectrum included FAS and three fetal alcohol effect (FAE) subgroups, which were defined using teratogenic theory, previous research findings, and logic. The sample consisted of 112 children with a confirmed history of excessive prenatal alcohol exposure. Part 2 evaluated the continuity and comparability of the CNS dysfunction subgroups exhibited by assessing neuropsychological components of attention using models by Mirsky and Conners. The sample consisted of 30 children and subgroups were matched on age, sex, and living situation. Results identified 3 of the 4 potential subgroups. All subgroups exhibited a clinically significant attention deficit. After adjusting for IQ, the FAS and FAE subgroups had comparable levels of functioning on all components of attention with one exception. On the sustain component, the FAE subgroups had more difficulties than the FAS subgroup in maintaining a consistent response-speed in response to changes in the length of time between targets. This study provides empirical and theoretical support for the validity and clinical utility of a spectrum of fetal alcohol subgroups consistent with the IOM's classification. It furthers a theoretical understanding of the dose-response effects of alcohol as a teratogenic agent. It suggests that attention regulation functions are especially vulnerable to the damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The findings emphasize the importance of obtaining a history of prenatal alcohol exposure in individuals presenting with neuropsychological difficulties, and developing treatment programs for pregnant women with an alcohol addiction.

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are apex predators and indicators of localized ecosystem health. Accurate characterization of population demography is crucial to parameter predictions. However, descriptions of age growth investigations of odontocetes are limited to the postnatal life. In contrast, the modeled scenario for terrestrial mammalian growth has been described along a continuum of pre- and postnatal data. Few age distribution data exist for the western Gulf of Mexico despite the fact that life tables enable demographic comparisons among populations. The objective of this study was to characterize age, growth, and population-level behavior of bottlenose dolphins along Texas. This objective was accomplished by two discrete studies: age analysis, and population-level behavior. Teeth from 290 stranded individuals were extracted for the purposes of age determination. Curvilinear models (the Gompertz and the von Bertalanffy) were fit to postnatal length-at-age data. Fetal age was determined for 408 suspected fetal length records using validated fetal growth trends and empirical measurements from late-term fetuses. Growth analysis indicated that a Gompertz model fit length-at-age data better than a von Bertalanffy model. A postnatal Gompertz model explained less variation than a combined pre- and postnatal model (R2 = 0.9 and 0.94 respectively). The absolute growth rate and rate of growth decay tripled with the inclusion of fetal length and age data. In the second study, life tables were constructed for 280 individuals. Survivorship curves, mortality rates, intrinsic capacity for increase, and the population growth rate were calculated. Bottlenose dolphin mortality did not differ significantly by sex or age class. Survivorship was best characterized by a type III curve. Analyses indicated no substantial increase (r = -0.07), and that the population is not replacing itself in the next time-step (y = 0.93). Bottlenose dolphins conform to a number of eutherian mammalian trends: the production of precocial young, calving seasonality, and rapid fetal growth rate. Population level behavior suggests a population retraction possibly as a compensatory response to ecosystem perturbation rather than a population decline. Reproductive information will confirm population status and stability in the future. This study is the first to demonstrate a significant impact of cetacean fetal growth parameters on postnatal growth trajectory.

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing, 2001. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 138-148.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Centre for Neuroscience. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on January 27, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 146 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

[Truncated abstract] In this thesis the role of lactate measurement has been evaluated in intrapartum assessment of fetal wellbeing. Specifically, I have addressed the question of whether fetal lactate measurement is better than the assessment of fetal heart rate patterns or the measurement of pH at predicting fetal brain injury after intrapartum asphyxia. Using an ovine model of repeated umbilical cord occlusion designed to mimic events which may occur during human labour, I have shown that the measurement of fetal lactate levels after repeated cord occlusion is significantly associated with the severity of brain injury after the asphyxial insult. No significant associations were identified with fetal pH measurements or with the duration of decelerative or compound fetal heart rate patterns; however, this is the first study to describe an association between the duration of both increased fetal heart rate variability and fetal heart rate overshoot with the severity of subsequent brain injury. Although no significant association was identified between fetal arterial pressure measured between umbilical cord occlusions and the grade of brain injury, the studies performed in this thesis are the first to show a strong correlation between the duration of specific arterial pressure responses during cord occlusions and the grade of brain injury, accounting for approximately 90% of the variability seen in the severity of injury. The mechanism responsible for the improved ability of lactate measurement to predict fetal brain injury is unknown. It may be because fetal lactate levels are a more stable marker of anaerobic metabolism of glucose than fetal pH levels, which are influenced by both increasing levels of carbon dioxide and anaerobic metabolism of amino-acids and fatty acids. In addition fetal pH levels can be rapidly normalised through placental exchange of carbon dioxide whereas fetal lactate levels are slow to normalise across the placenta as they rely on facilitated diffusion.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Lund, 1995. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.