Acute Ethanol Exposure Affecting Mechanosensory Neuron Development in C. Elegans

Overview

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a developmental disorder characterized by physical, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy. To better understand the mechanisms underlying FAS, model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans have been employed due to their genetic similarities to humans and well-mapped nervous system. C. elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode approximately 1 mm in length, with a short lifespan of two weeks, making it a valuable model for neuroscience research. While previous studies have investigated the effects of chronic alcohol exposure using high ethanol concentrations (>250 mM), the impact of acute or low-dose ethanol exposure on subsequent generations remains underexplored. This study examines the transgenerational effects of acute ethanol exposure during embryogenesis on mechanosensory neuron development. Using the Mec-4::GFP C. elegans strain, fluorescence microscopy was employed to analyze the development of the AVM neuron in the F1 generation of nematodes exposed to ethanol prior to egg-laying. By assessing neuronal changes in offspring, this research aims to provide insight into the pathogenesis of FAS and the potential long-term consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure on neural development.

Competition history

• AJAS 2026 Category not listed

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