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Ethanol Affects the Progression of Planarian Head Regeneration in a Time‐Dependent Manner
Author(s) -
Hanna Lydia,
McGee James,
Srinivasan Dayalan,
Staehle Mary
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.1018.5
Subject(s) - planaria , planarian , neuroscience , regeneration (biology) , cognition , biology , physiology , genetics
In humans, ethanol exposure in utero affects neurodevelopmental processes, which can lead to a spectrum of physical and cognitive impairments known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The molecular etiology of FASD is poorly understood and challenging to study in most animal models. Therefore, we have established head regeneration in the Schmidtea mediterranea planarian as a model system for investigating the direct effects of ethanol exposure on neurodevelopmental processes. Our previous work elucidated delayed reacquisition of cognitive behavior in 1% v/v alcohol‐exposed planaria following head removal. In this study, we used a limited exposure paradigm to define the developmental window(s) sensitive to alcohol exposure. Phenotypic and morphological changes were monitored with cognitive function testing (a movement‐normalized photophobic behavior assay) and whole‐mount immunostaining of the nervous system. The behavioral data suggest that alcohol's effects occur between 36 and 120 hours after transection; delayed reacquisition of photophobic behavior occurs only when the planaria are exposed to alcohol for 48‐hour periods within this time frame. Delayed development is also observed in the nervous system morphology of alcohol‐exposed worm. Analyzing the underlying molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment during this developmental period could elucidate alcohol's effects on neural stem cell differentiation and the development of FASD.