Fetal Alcohol Exposure's Lasting Impact on Brain Development.

A recent study investigated the effects of fetal alcohol exposure on brain development in neonatal mice. The study found that ethanol-induced neonatal apoptosis often causes immediate neuron deficits that persist into adulthood. Some brain regions are more vulnerable to ethanol-induced neuron loss than others, with the anterior thalamic nuclei showing the greatest loss of neurons. The study highlights the importance of identifying vulnerable brain regions for potential therapeutic interventions and may inform strategies for preventing or mitigating the long-term consequences of alcohol exposure during critical periods of brain development.