The study, conducted by researchers from the Bioinformatics and Neurogenetics Laboratory (LaBiN) of the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), confirmed that ethanol (EtOH) consumption during pregnancy can impair fetal neurodevelopment. This can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a condition that encompasses physical, mental, and behavioral deficiencies. It is crucial to note that FASD, although 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 DNA compaction (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 may 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 deficiencies that 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 are no concrete data on the incidence in Brazil,” explained the researcher and LaBiN coordinator, Roberto Hirochi Herai.
According to a survey by the Center for Information on Alcohol and Health (CISA), there has been a significant increase in the percentage of women who consume alcohol excessively, especially during pregnancy. This increase in alcohol consumption among women, if continued, could potentially lead to a higher incidence of FASD cases. The researchers emphasize 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 study’s authors, Bruno Guerra, the molecular effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on human fetal cerebral cortex development are still poorly understood. This highlights the crucial need for ongoing research in this area to fully understand the implications of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Understanding the basis of molecular changes, including the problems they cause in brain cells, will help in the development of future treatment therapies for FASD. This promising development should bring hope and clarify changes related to neurobiological processes. It also highlights the urgent need for more data that can help in creating public health policies related to alcohol consumption by pregnant women.
Source: Agência Brasil