116 - Animal Models of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Methods and Approaches

Abstract

This chapter discusses the methods and approaches for animal models of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FAS remain a major cause of mental retardation in humans. The quest to elucidate the mechanisms involved has been greatly served by the animal models. These models have provided analogs and albeit imperfect to the human situation. These analogs lend themselves to exploitation for the purpose of mimicking the kinds of scenarios that have been noted to cause FAS. Moreover, they provide an opportunity to examine the progression of the devastation gestational ethanol inflicts stage-by-stage. Although human studies enable investigators to properly characterize the syndrome, it has taken the use of animal models to provide a more complete picture. In this chapter, considerations underlying the design of animal models are reviewed. The major ethanol exposure paradigms in the use for FAS research are also discussed. FAS and fetal alcohol effects are principal preventable sources of mental retardation. That gestational alcoholism has direct effects on the unborn is a proven reality that cannot be overemphasized.