The study, conducted by researchers from the Bioinformatics and Neurogenetics Laboratory (LaBiN) of the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS) of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), confirmed that the consumption of ethanol (EtOH) during pregnancy can compromise fetal neurodevelopment. This can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a condition that encompasses physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities. It’s crucial to note that FASD, while sharing some symptoms with autism, is a distinct condition with different causes and treatments.
According to the results, EtOH alters the organization of the structure responsible for compacting DNA (chromatin) and impairs the development of functional neural networks during brain development. Alcohol exposure negatively affects both the formation and activity of these networks.
These long-term effects can include learning difficulties, memory problems, and behavioral issues.” “Previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which include physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities, which can even be confused with autism, especially in young children. In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 20 births is affected by FASD. Still, there is no concrete data on the incidence in Brazil,” explained researcher and LabiN coordinator Roberto Hirochi Herai.
According to a survey by the Alcohol and Health Information Center (CISA), there has been a significant increase in the percentage of women who consume alcohol excessively, especially during pregnancy. This rise in alcohol consumption among women, if continued, could potentially lead to a higher incidence of FASD cases. The researchers stress that the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy are significant, as there is still no data indicating a safe amount of alcohol consumption during this crucial period.
For one of the authors of the study, Bruno Guerra, the molecular effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the development of the human fetal cerebral cortex are still poorly understood. This underscores the crucial need for ongoing research in this field to comprehend the implications of alcohol consumption during pregnancy fully.
Understanding the basis of molecular changes, including the problems they cause in brain cells, will aid in the development of future treatment therapies for FASD. This promising development should bring hope and clarify the changes related to neurobiological processes. It also underscores the urgent need for more data that can help in the creation of public health policies related to alcohol consumption by pregnant women.
Source: Agência Brasil