Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the most common cause of cognitive impairment in the United States (Sokol et al., 2003). In young school children in North America and some Western European countries, recent reports have estimated the prevalence of FASD to be as high as 2-5% (May et al., 2009). Currently there are no widely accepted treatment options for FASD, mainly due to the fact that the underlying neurological deficits that occur with prenatal ethanol exposure (PNEE) are still largely unknown. This thesis examines the long-lasting changes that occur in the hippocampus following PNEE using biochemical and electrophysiological techniques. We find that PNEE produces a reduction of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione (GSH), resulting in an increase in oxidative stress that is accompanied by long-lasting reductions in long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic efficacy. Interestingly, males exhibited greater deficits in synaptic plasticity than females, despite similar reductions in GSH in both sexes. By depleting GSH in control animals we determined that LTP in the DG of female animals is more resistant to changes in GSH, which may explain the sexual dichotomy observed in these studies of PNEE. Based on these findings, ethanol-exposed animals received postnatal dietary supplementation with either a precursor of GSH, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) or Omega-3 fatty acids. These supplements helped to counteract the effects of PNEE and improved hippocampal function. The findings in this thesis support the hypothesis that increasing antioxidant capacity can enhance hippocampal function, which in turn may improve learning and memory in FASD, providing a therapeutic avenue for children suffering with these disorders. / Graduate / 0570 Nutrition / 0317 Neuroscience / anna.r.patten@gmail.com

'Alcohol', the strongest teratogen known to human-kind, is a commonly used legal drug which has the ability to cross the placenta and interfere with the development of the foetus resulting in a birth defect known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This thesis looks at the historical knowledge base surrounding prenatal exposure to alcohol and presents the latest biomedical information available on FASD at the time of writing. The sub-discipline of medical anthropology, the associated methodology and it appropriateness for this kind of research is discussed. A historical look at the introduction and proliferation of alcohol in New Zealand from the macro-micro perspective, and James O'Connors' (1974) political modes of operation are presented, offering a broad analysis, of a dynamic political process involved with the lack of acknowledgement or action on the part of New Zealand governments. New Zealand specific research on women's drinking patterns, clinical practise and the experiences of those trying to obtain a diagnosis in regard to FASD within New Zealand are presented. Behavioural profiles pertaining to my participants' FASD charges are offered to the reader, all of which indicate serious repercussions for New Zealand society as a whole. Finally the labelling argument relating to the diagnostic terminology surrounding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is discussed. The original contribution this thesis offers aside from being the first New Zealand anthropological PhD research on the subject of FASD surrounds education and action research. Knowledge creates empowerment and can facilitate individual change. My thesis has been a dialectical process whereby the more I learned from those care-giving for FASD individuals, the more I have been able to feed back to others and act in my capacity as a critical medical anthropologist, using action anthropology as a means to advocate for families affected by FASD, those whose voices of expertise by way of experience, are seldom if ever heard or listened too [sic].

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed May 8, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-79).

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to explore the challenges that foster parents experience when a child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is placed in their care. Given the intensive care and various support needs, the question is whether foster parents are equipped to care for these children. This is an exploratory study that also explores the current service delivery relationship between foster parents and social workers. This study posed two research questions, namely what the challenges are that foster parents of children with FAS face and what their experiences with social support are. The sample population for the qualitative case study was two foster parents with children with FAS. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The following themes were identified in the study: initiation as foster carers, motives for foster care, recruitment and training of foster care parents and services to foster parents. The findings of the study suggest that, in addition to financial support, foster parents express the need for emotional support, training on how to foster children with FAS as well as knowledge about the disability. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem om ondersoek in te stel na die uitdagings wat pleegouers ervaar wanneer ʼn kind met Fetale Alkohol Spektrum Versteuring (FASV) in hulle sorg geplaas word. Die vraag is of pleegouers opgewasse is om hierdie kinders te versorg, gegewe die intensiewe versorging en diverse ondersteuningsbehoeftes wat hulle benodig. Die verkennende studie ondersoek ook die huidige diensleweringverhouding tussen pleegouers en maatskaplike werkers. Die studie is gerig deur twee navorsingsvrae, naamlik watter uitdagings pleegouers met FAS kinders beleef en watter ervaringe pleegouers ten opsigte van maatskaplike ondersteuning beleef. Die steekproef populasie vir die kwalitatiewe gevallestudie was twee pleegouers van kinders met FAS. Data is deurmiddel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude versamel. Die volgende temas is geïdentifiseer: aanvang van pleegsorg, die redes vir pleegsorg, werwing en opleiding van pleegouers en dienslewering aan pleegouers. Die bevindinge van die studie dui daarop dat behalwe finansiële ondersteuning pleegouers ook ʼn behoefte aan emosionele ondersteuning, opleiding oor hoe om kinders met FAS te vesorg en kundigheid oor die gestremdheid benodig.

Fatores como o tempo de espera ou o risco a ser enfrentado por uma recompensa maior têm um efeito importante e, por vezes, paradoxal no processo de tomada de decisão. O Capítulo I apresenta uma discussão teórica sobre a tomada de decisão mediada por esses dois fatores, bem como sua interligação com o conceito de impulsividade e o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH). O Capítulo II oferece uma aplicação desses conceitos em um modelo animal do espectro da Síndrome Alcoólica Fetal, condição que apresenta algumas características semelhantes ao TDAH. Utilizando ratos expostos ao álcool no período pré-natal, duas tarefas de tomada de decisão mediada por tempo ou probabilidade foram usadas para testar se esses animais apresentam diferenças em seus padrões de escolha. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre grupos controle e experimentais. Futuros estudos com outros protocolos, espécies e/ou linhagens são desejáveis. / Factors such as the time to wait, or the risk to be faced for a bigger reward have an important and, sometimes, paradoxical effect on the decision making process. Chapter I presents a theoretical discussion about decision making mediated by these two factors, as well as how they relate to the concept of impulsivity and the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Chapter II offers a practical application of these concepts in an animal model of the spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a condition that presents some similar characterstics in comparison to ADHD. Using rats prenatally exposed to ethanol, two decision making tasks, mediated by time or probability, were used to test if these animals show any difference in their patterns of choice. No significant differences were found between control and experimental groups. Future studies with other protocols, species and/or strains are desirable.

Fatores como o tempo de espera ou o risco a ser enfrentado por uma recompensa maior têm um efeito importante e, por vezes, paradoxal no processo de tomada de decisão. O Capítulo I apresenta uma discussão teórica sobre a tomada de decisão mediada por esses dois fatores, bem como sua interligação com o conceito de impulsividade e o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH). O Capítulo II oferece uma aplicação desses conceitos em um modelo animal do espectro da Síndrome Alcoólica Fetal, condição que apresenta algumas características semelhantes ao TDAH. Utilizando ratos expostos ao álcool no período pré-natal, duas tarefas de tomada de decisão mediada por tempo ou probabilidade foram usadas para testar se esses animais apresentam diferenças em seus padrões de escolha. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre grupos controle e experimentais. Futuros estudos com outros protocolos, espécies e/ou linhagens são desejáveis. / Factors such as the time to wait, or the risk to be faced for a bigger reward have an important and, sometimes, paradoxical effect on the decision making process. Chapter I presents a theoretical discussion about decision making mediated by these two factors, as well as how they relate to the concept of impulsivity and the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Chapter II offers a practical application of these concepts in an animal model of the spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a condition that presents some similar characterstics in comparison to ADHD. Using rats prenatally exposed to ethanol, two decision making tasks, mediated by time or probability, were used to test if these animals show any difference in their patterns of choice. No significant differences were found between control and experimental groups. Future studies with other protocols, species and/or strains are desirable.

Fatores como o tempo de espera ou o risco a ser enfrentado por uma recompensa maior têm um efeito importante e, por vezes, paradoxal no processo de tomada de decisão. O Capítulo I apresenta uma discussão teórica sobre a tomada de decisão mediada por esses dois fatores, bem como sua interligação com o conceito de impulsividade e o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH). O Capítulo II oferece uma aplicação desses conceitos em um modelo animal do espectro da Síndrome Alcoólica Fetal, condição que apresenta algumas características semelhantes ao TDAH. Utilizando ratos expostos ao álcool no período pré-natal, duas tarefas de tomada de decisão mediada por tempo ou probabilidade foram usadas para testar se esses animais apresentam diferenças em seus padrões de escolha. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre grupos controle e experimentais. Futuros estudos com outros protocolos, espécies e/ou linhagens são desejáveis. / Factors such as the time to wait, or the risk to be faced for a bigger reward have an important and, sometimes, paradoxical effect on the decision making process. Chapter I presents a theoretical discussion about decision making mediated by these two factors, as well as how they relate to the concept of impulsivity and the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Chapter II offers a practical application of these concepts in an animal model of the spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a condition that presents some similar characterstics in comparison to ADHD. Using rats prenatally exposed to ethanol, two decision making tasks, mediated by time or probability, were used to test if these animals show any difference in their patterns of choice. No significant differences were found between control and experimental groups. Future studies with other protocols, species and/or strains are desirable.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:40:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sheila Carla de Souza.pdf: 258783 bytes, checksum: f18079fdde0f5c23411e758c9345e740 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-17 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / Alcohol is the most used teratogenic substance in the west world and its use during pregnancy, from moderate to severe, is a serious problem to public health due to the risks that it might bring to the mother (increases the risks for spontaneous abortions and premature detachment of the placenta) and to the fetus (physical, mental and behaviour damage and/or learning disorders) and might cause an even worse form of damage known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). This current study was elaborated based on a sample of 89 women currently in treatment and recently treated for alcohol use/abuse and their children. Women s age group varied from 19 years old (minimum) to 71 years old (maximum) presenting a medium age of 44 years old. The age group and gender of the children were not considered as criteria for exclusion. The three main objectives for this research were to describe the reproductive history of alcoholic women, the growth and development of their children and to investigate manifestations of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) in children. Main results showed reproductive losses in alcoholics and high level of learning disorders, hyperactivity and aggressiveness in their children. The data converge with the existing literature. However, co-segregation of autism was not observed in individuals exposed to alcohol during gestation period. The present study drives attention to the harm that might be caused by alcohol ingestion during pregnancy. In Brazil researches like this are still rare. / O álcool é a substância teratogênica mais utilizada no mundo ocidental e seu consumo moderado a severo durante a gestação é um grave problema de saúde pública pelos riscos que pode oferecer à mãe (aumento de abortos espontâneos e descolamento prematuro de placenta) e ao feto (prejuízos físicos, mentais, de comportamento e/ou de aprendizagem), sendo sua forma de comprometimento mais grave denominada de Síndrome Alcoólica Fetal (SAF). O presente estudo foi realizado a partir de uma amostra de 89 mulheres em tratamento atual ou pregresso devido ao uso e/ou abuso de álcool e seus filhos. A faixa etária das mulheres variou entre 19 anos (mínimo) e 71 anos (máximo), com uma média de 44 anos. A faixa etária e o gênero dos filhos não foram considerados como critérios de exclusão. Os três principais objetivos desta pesquisa foram descrever o histórico reprodutivo de mulheres alcoolistas, o crescimento e desenvolvimento dos filhos e investigar manifestações dos quadros dos Transtornos Invasivos do Desenvolvimento (TID) nos filhos. Os principais resultados encontrados apontam perdas reprodutivas em alcoolistas e altos índices de problemas de aprendizagem, hiperatividade e agressividade nos filhos. Esses dados convergem com a literatura existente. No entanto, não foram observadas co-segregação de autismo para indivíduos expostos ao álcool em período gestacional. O presente estudo alerta para os malefícios que podem ser advindos do álcool consumido na gravidez. Pesquisas deste tipo são escassas no Brasil.

Over the past decade, the "problem" of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects among Aboriginal peoples has received increasing attention from the Canadian nation-state. However, few feminist, anti-racist, anti-ableist, and anti-colonial scholars have offered a critique of FAS/E "prevention" policies aimed at Aboriginal women. In this dissertation, I present my analysis of the "official knowledge" and "public pedagogies" articulated in one such policy, The First Nations and Inuit Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/ Fetal Alcohol Effects Initiative (herein "the Initiative"). This analysis unravels the complex and contradictory tensions in contemporary state policy formation. My findings show how the Initiative paradoxically supports the development of inclusive, grassroots approaches to FAS/E prevention in Aboriginal communities while at the same time eclipsing the voices and concerns of Aboriginal women. Though neglected in the official policy texts and talk of the Initiative, young Aboriginal mothers' agency and insights are central in the dialectic of ideology, discourse, and lived experience that this study documents. To facilitate this shift, I engage a productive methodological synthesis of textual analysis, institutional ethnography, and participatory research, by grounding my analysis of the texts in indepth group interviews with six Aboriginal mothers whose lives include substance use and FAS/E. This study offers significant implications for the development of future policy, research, and "culturally appropriate" pedagogy for and about FAS/E "prevention". My findings do not support the outright rejection of medical models of disability, as has been favoured by many critical theorists and activists on the grounds that such models are universally oppressive and disenfranchising. Rather, the women's insights into their own lived experiences emphasize the simultaneously enabling and disabling consequences of medicalization. Accordingly, my findings underscore the urgent need to reconsider the roles of "race", gender, class, nation and dis/ability in contemporary theories and practices of substantive citizenship and nation-building in and outside of education. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

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