THE INFLUENCE OF PERINATAL NICOTINE AND ALCOHOL EXPOSURE ON THE FUNCTION OF NEURONS INVOLVED IN THE CONTROL OF BREATHING AND HEART RATE

Abstract

Nicotine and alcohol abuse is a significant and growing public health problem. These substances, when taken during pregnancy, can have negative effects on the health of offspring, including the function of neurons involved in control of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Many experiments have been done using pregnant rats and their young to observe the detrimental effects of nicotine and alcohol. Various methods can be used to administer alcohol to pregnant rats. Also, there are many ways in which prenatal alcohol exposure has affected behavior of neonates and chronic exposure has led to disruptions in breathing in offspring. Additionally, cotinine, nicotine’s major metabolite, and nicotine impact different body systems, including the cardiovascular system. Perinatal nicotine may impact GABA expression levels in the brain as well. This thesis summarizes some key findings regarding the influence of perinatal alcohol or nicotine exposure on the development of the control of breathing and heart rate in the neonate. It is hoped that increasing our knowledge of how perinatal neuroteratogens disrupt the normal development of cardiorespiratory control and other behaviors will arm clinicians with the evidence they need to prevent abuse of these substances, especially during pregnancy.