Effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on early postnatal rodent brain structure and diffusion properties.

ABSTRACT: Prenatal cocaine exposure has been associated with numerous behavioral phenotypes in clinical populations, including impulsivity, reduced attention, alterations in social behaviors, and delayed language and sensory-motor development. Detecting associated changes in brain structure in these populations has proven difficult, and results have been inconclusive and inconsistent. Due to their more controlled designs, animal models may shed light on the neuroanatomical changes caused by prenatal cocaine; however, to maximize clinical relevance, data must be carefully collected using translational methods. The goal of this study was two-fold: (1) to determine if prenatal cocaine alters developmental neuroanatomy using methods that are available to human researchers, specifically structural MRI an

SUBMITTER: McMurray MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4291294 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature