Brain Development

Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine

Edited by Michael W. Miller

Includes unique coverage - normal neural development, effects of alcohol and effects of nicotine
Highlights the clinical importance of nicotine and alcohol
Alcohol is the most thoroughly understood developmental toxin, and this book is the most detailed description of its effects on the developing brain
Developmental consequences of nicotine are poorly understood but this book sheds light on them

Brain Development

Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine

Edited by Michael W. Miller

Description

This is the first book about both normal development of the nervous system and how early exposure to alcohol and nicotine interferes with this development. The developing nervous system is highly dynamic and vulnerable to genetic and epigenetic factors that can be additive or synergistic. Disruption of normal brain development leads to an array of developmental disorders. One of the most common of these is mental retardation, the prime cause of which is prenatal exposure to alcohol. As chapters in this book show, alcohol has direct effects on the developing neural system and it affects genetic regulation. Another common neurotoxin is nicotine, and it is discussed in this book for three reasons: (1) the number of adolescents who smoke cigarettes is rising in some populations; (2) prenatal exposure to nicotine affects neurotransmitter systems that are critical for normal brain development and cognition; and (3) prenatal exposure to nicotine is often accompanied by prenatal exposure to alcohol.
The mature brain is the culmination of an orderly sequence of basic ontogenetic processes - cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death. Neural stem cells and progenitors proliferate in discreet sites; then, young neurons migrate long distances to their residences where they form neural networks. During this sequence many immature cells die, presumably eliminating unsuitable or non-competitive cells. Each process is regulated by genetic and environmental factors. When this regulation goes awry, a dysmorphic and dysfunctinoal brain results. Though this can be tragic in clinical settings, in experimental contexts it provides keen insight into normal brain development.

Brain Development

Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine

Edited by Michael W. Miller

1:Models of Neurotoxicity Provide Insight into Normal Development, Michael W. Miller
Part I - Normal Development
2:Cell Proliferation, Bernhard Suter and Pradeep G. Bhide
3:Neuronal Migration, Huaiyu Hu
4:Neuronal Differentiation: From Axons to Synapses, C. David Mintz, Iddil H. Bekirov, Tonya R. Anderson, and Deanna L. Benson
5:Cell Death, Stevens K. Rehen and Jerold J.M. Chun
6:Intracellular Pathways of Neuronal Death, Sandra M. Mooney and George I. Henderson
7:Developmental Disorders and Evolutionary Expectations: Mechanisms of Resilience, Barbara L. Finlay, Jeremy C. Yost and Desmond T. Cheung
Part II - Ethanol-Affected Development
8:Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Human Development, Claire D. Coles
9:Influence of Alcohol on the Structure of the Developing Human Brain, Susanna L. Fryer, Christie L. McGee, Andrea D. Spadoni, and Edward P. Riley
10:Prenatal Ethanol Exposure and Fetal Programming: Implications for Endocrine and Immune Development and Long-Term Health, Joanna H. Sliwowska, Xingqi Zhang, and Joanne Weinberg
11:Early Exposure to Ethanol Affects the Proliferation of Neuronal Precursors, Michael W. Miller
12:Effects of Ethanol on the Regulation of Cell Cycle in Neural Stem Cells, W. Michael Zawada and Mita Das
13:Mechanisms of Ethanol-Induced Alterations in Neuronal Migration, Julie A. Siegenthaler and Michael W. Miller
14:Effects of Ethanol on Mechanisms Regulating Neuronal Process Outgrowth, Tara A. Lindsley
15:Neuronal Survival Is Compromised by Ethanol: Extracellular Mediators, Michael W. Miller, Marla B. Bruns and Paula L. Hoffman
16:Intracellular Events in Neuronal Death Targeted by Ethanol, Sandra M. Mooney, Michael W. Miller and George I. Henderson
17:Neural Crest and Developmental Exposure to Ethanol, Susan M. Smith and Katherine A. Debelak-Kragtorp
18:Glial Targets of Developmental Exposure to Ethanol, Consuelo Guerri, Gemma Rubert, and Maria Pasqual
Part III - Nicotine-Affected Development
19:Tobacco use During Pregnancy: Epidemiology and Effects on Offspring, Jennifer A. Willford, Nancy L. Day, and Marie D. Cornelius
20:Prenatal Nicotine Exposure and Animal Behavior, Brenda M. Elliott and Neil E. Grunberg
21:Neuronal Receptors for Nicotine: Functional Diversity and Developmental Changes, Huibert D. Mansvelder and Lorna W. Role
22:Neural Precursors as Preferential Targets for Drug Abuse: Long Term Consequences and Latent Susceptibility to CNS Disorders, Kurt F. Hauser, Nazira El-Hage, Shreya Buch, Gregory N. Barnes, Henrietta S. Bada, and James R. Pauly
23:Nicotinic Receptor Regulation of Developing Catecholamine Systems, Frances M. Leslie, Layla Azam, Kathy Gallardo, Kathryn O'Leary, Ryan Franke, and Shahrdad Lotfipour

Brain Development

Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine

Edited by Michael W. Miller

Author Information

Edited by Michael W. Miller, Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY-Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA

Brain Development

Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine

Edited by Michael W. Miller

Reviews and Awards

"...a very detailed and in-depth look at the topic...an excellent book that will be useful to many readers, including pediatricians, toxicologist, substance abuse specialists, researchers, and many others." - Doody's Notes