Moderate Level Fetal Alcohol Exposure and Serotonin Transporter Gene Promoter Polymorphism Affect Neonatal Temperament and Limbic-Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Regulation in Monkeys

Abstract

Background-A length polymorphism in the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene promoter region in humans and rhesus monkeys affects functional characteristics of the brain 5-HT system. Prenatal alcohol exposure (FA-exposure) can have an impact on brain and psychosocial development that could interact with genetic endowment. This study determined whether moderate FA-exposure interacts with polymorphism in the 5-HT transporter gene to increase the incidence or severity of fetal alcohol effects in rhesus monkeys.

Nonhuman Primate Research Contributions to Understanding Genetic and Environmental Influences on Phenotypic Outcomes across Development

“…Together they suggest many paths for subsequent study aimed at uncovering the mechanisms by which monkeys' early environment and specific genes interact to produce differential associations on behavior and physiology, as well as their underlying neural substrates. For example, evidence that the interaction between genotype and the rearing environment is manifest within the first months of life after exposure to the environmental manipulation (Champoux et al, 2002;Karere et al, 2009;Kraemer et al, 2008), may be among the most significant clues these results hold for future mechanistic studies. The emergence of this effect so early in life helps to narrow, and thus facilitate, definition of the set of specific factors by which the environment induces genotype-dependent effects on neurobehavioral development.…”

“…Schneider and her colleagues have examined interplay between specific genetic variation and an early environmental manipulation with high clinical significance, prenatal alcohol exposure (Kraemer, Moore, Newman, Barr, & Schneider, 2008). Beyond the infant and prenatal period, two other social environments have been studied in interaction with candidate genes.…”

“…The strongest finding to emerge from these studies is evidence of increased behavioral and neuroendocrine reactivity during the infant and early juvenile period (Bethea et al, 2004;Champoux et al, 2002;Kraemer et al, 2008;McCormack, Newman, Higley, Maestripieri, & Sanchez, 2009;Spinelli et al, 2007). Neuroendocrine function is one of the few measures for which there are reports across multiple life periods.…”

Understanding development and prevention of chronic physical aggression: towards experimental epigenetic studies

“…However, they fail to address the causal mechanisms leading to CPA because they are limited to a statistical analysis of correlations. To test causal mechanisms, we need the type of true experiments that are being regularly done with rats and monkeys ( Foley et al 2005;Weaver et al 2006;Kraemer et al 2008). Such studies are ethically impossible if the manipulation involves stressing healthy pregnant women, however, attempts to prevent stress in high-risk pregnant women are ethical and necessary if we are to find effective preventive interventions.…”

The relationship between problem behavior and neurotransmitter deficiency in adolescents

“…Honig et al certified GABA levels measured in cortex tissue were negatively correlated with depressive mood, supporting a possible involvement of GABA in depressive illness [24] . Kraemer et al summarized that aberrations in central nervous system for 5-HT function were thought to play a role in human depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcoholism and suicide [25] .…”