William Cy Chen
Tanzania
Research Article
Motor Function Deficits Following Chronic Prenatal Ethanol Exposure are Linked to Impairments in Insulin/IGF, Notch and Wnt Signaling in the Cerebellum
Author(s): Ming Tong, Jason Ziplow, William Cy Chen, Quynh-Giao Nguyen, Charles Kim and Suzanne M de la MonteMing Tong, Jason Ziplow, William Cy Chen, Quynh-Giao Nguyen, Charles Kim and Suzanne M de la Monte
Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is associated with deficits in cerebellar function that can persist through adolescence. Previous studies demonstrated striking inhibition of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in ethanol-exposed cerebella.
Objectives: We sought to determine if FASD-induced impairments in motor function were associated with deficits in insulin/IGF signaling in juvenile cerebella. Given the growing evidence that insulin/IGF pathways crosstalk with Notch and Wnt to promote brain development and maturation; we also examined the integrity of canonical Wnt and Notch signaling networks in the brain following chronic prenatal ethanol exposure.
Methods: Pregnant Long Evans rats were fed isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 24% ethanol by caloric content from gestation day 6 through delivery. Pups were subjected to rotar.. View More»