Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, including details on pregnancy, birth defects, causes, symptoms, treatment.

Restoration of neuronal plasticity by a phosphodiesterase type 1 inhibitor in a model of fetal alcohol exposure.

Medina AE, Krahe TE, Ramoa AS

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. amedina@vcu.edu

Although some studies showed the efficacy of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors as neuronal plasticity enhancers, little is known about the effectiveness of these drugs to improve plasticity in cases of mental retardation. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation in the western world. Using a combination of electrophysiological and optical imaging techniques, we show here that vinpocetine, a PDE type I inhibitor, restores ocular dominance plasticity in the ferret model of fetal alcohol exposure. Our finding should contribute to a better understanding and treatment of cognitive deficits associated with mental disorders, such as FAS.

Published 19 January 2006 in J Neurosci, 26(3): 1057-60.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.