Researchers found that rats that have been exposed to alcohol while in their mothers’ womb find the alcohol smell more appealing during their adolescence as compared to those who were not exposed to it during gestation.

A team of researchers from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University headed by Professor Steven Youngentob studied the behavioral and social effects of pre-natal exposure to ethanol in adolescent-aged and adult-aged rats. “The findings by Amber Eade in my lab reveal that fetal ethanol exposure influences adolescent re-exposure, in part, promoting interactions with intoxicated peers,” he said. Youngentob further added that the results serve to highlight the link between fetal and adolescent alcohol-related experiences that are important to the progression of alcohol abuse in individuals.

Exposure to ethanol while in the mother’s womb is said to contribute to the development of an ability to find ethanol odor more appealing. The authors of the study describe how being exposed to the substance can change one’s perception on the flavor and smell of alcohol. “Such learning may be a fundamental feature of all mammalian species because it is important (from a survival standpoint) for the pre-weanling animal to accept and be attracted to the food sources consumed by the mother,” the researchers wrote.

The study found that “rats unexposed to ethanol were significantly less likely to follow an intoxicated peer than those with gestational experience.” It also found that fetal exposure to ethanol contributed to certain behavioral effects that are not manifested in adults that were unexposed to the substance. For the researchers, this proves how crucial the adolescent stage is in showing fetal experiences. Youngentob notes, “Such a proposition is clinically relevant since, in humans, adolescence is a key transition point for emergent patterns of alcohol abuse.”

The study also discussed the implications of its findings noting that prior exposure to alcohol may also contribute to the aggravation of alcohol-related issues in teenagers. It can also influence an adolescent’s predisposition for drinking. That said, pre-natal ethanol exposure can heighten the risk of teenage drinking so it’s important for mothers to be well aware that the risks of taking alcohol during pregnancy go beyond the irreversible birth defects that could develop in babies.

More on alcohol related research can be found on this website. Pacific Hills Treatment Centers is an alcohol and drug rehab facility that offers innovative approaches to substance abuse recovery. Contact us through this website for details.

Here are some upcoming grants and projects that are conducted to address the issue of ethnic and racial health disparities.

• The American Heart Association (AHA) will start a new nationwide stroke awareness campaign that is focused on the Hispanic community. This is according to a report by the San Jose Mercury News. Health officials, with the help of individual who went through health education are going to inform other members of the community about stroke, its warning signs and how to prevent it from developing.
• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has just awarded almost half a million dollars in grants to 22 local health centers, community-based organizations, and hospital-based initiatives that are established to provide health care assistance to low-income residents in the state. According to a report by the International Business Times, five of the said organizations have organized initiatives to reduce racial health disparities. Each group is set to receive a grant worth $20,000 to $25,000.
• For disparities research, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences are offering $78 million in sponsorship funding particularly to research initiatives that focus on improving the quality of life of groups that manifest high risks for diseases. Education institutions, non-profit organizations and tribal governments in the country are welcome to apply for the grants. Deadline of submission of applications is on May 29.
• The US Health and Human Services awarded a five year grant worth $2.2 million to Long Beach, California’s Substance Abuse Foundation. The grant is aimed at providing sufficient HIV/AIDS services to Hispanics and African-Americans living in the area. This is according to a report by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. The “Minorities Overcoming Risk” grant, in cooperation with the California State University-Long Beach also launched a program that offers health care for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS particularly to those who are at high risk of contracting chronic conditions. The said program is expected to provide assistance to over a thousand clients who are going to receive education on the treatment and prevention of the said diseases.

Explore this site further for more updates on substance abuse research and projects. Pacific Hills Treatment Centers offers Christ-centered approaches to drug and alcohol treatment to help individuals gain control of their lives again and stay sober for a longer period of time. Contact us through this website for details.