August 1, 2024
Journal Article
Developmental ethanol exposure impacts Purkinje cells but not microglia in the young adult cerebellum.
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) caused by developmental ethanol exposure lead to cerebellar impairments, including motor problems, decreased cerebellar weight, and cell death. Alterations in the sole output of the cerebellum, Purkinje cells, and central nervous system immune cells, microglia, have been reported in animal models of FASD. To determine howdevelopmental ethanol exposure affects adult cerebellar microglia and Purkinje cells, we used a human third trimester binge exposure model where mice received ethanol or saline from postnatal (P) days 4-9. In adolescence, cerebellar cranial windows were implanted and mice were aged to young adulthood for examination of microglia and Purkinje cells in vivo with two-photon imaging or in fixed tissue. Ethanol had no effect on microglia density, morphology, dynamics, or injury response. However, Purkinje cell linear frequency was reduced by ethanol. Microglia-Purkinje cell interactions in the Purkinje Cell Layer were altered in females compared to males. Overall, developmental ethanol exposure had few effects on cerebellar microglia in young adulthood andPurkinje cells appeared to be more susceptible to its effects.Published: August 1, 2024