Is There a Critical Period for the Developmental Neurotoxicity of Low-Level Tobacco Smoke Exposure?

ABSTRACT: Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. We evaluated in rats whether there is a critical period during which tobacco smoke extract (TSE) affects the development of acetylcholine and serotonin systems, prominent targets for adverse effects of nicotine and tobacco smoke. We simulated secondhand smoke exposure by administering TSE so as to produce nicotine concentrations one-tenth those in active smoking, with 3 distinct, 10-day windows: premating, early gestation or late gestation. We conducted longitudinal evaluations in multiple brain regions, starting in early adolescence (postnatal day 30) and continued to full adulthood (day 150). TSE exposure in any of the 3 windows impaired presynaptic cholinergic activity, exacerbated by a de

SUBMITTER: Slotkin TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5216647 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature