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Dissertation
The effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine on dendritic development evidence of targeting of specific cortical areas dependent upon neurotransmitter innervation
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Nov 1996
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009588
Abstract
Activation of dopamine receptors can cause differing effects on neurite outgrowth from cortical neurons. Since cocaine can bind to the transporters of these monoamines and thereby alter the available levels of these neurotransmitters during development, it may adversely affect the development of the cerebral cortex by changing the balance of the available monoamines during critical developmental time points. We have chosen to examine cortical areas based upon their different neurotransmitter innervation. This approach will allow examination of the effects of in utero cocaine exposure on general cortical development and more specifically, in specific areas. We will attempt to answer the question of whether cocaine adversely affects cortical development, based on the organization of neurotransmitter innervation. The cortical areas chosen had either a dense dopamine innervation, such as anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, or a sparse dopamine input and a dense serotonergic innervation, visual cortex and somatosensory cortex. Using a variety of anatomical and biochemical methods, our results suggest that cocaine adversely effects the development and final structure of neurons in areas that receive a dense dopaminergic innervation. Our results suggest that cocaine affects dendritic development of pyramidal neurons in anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex and not in the visual or somatosensory cortices. Alterations in function of these areas could lead to dramatic changes in cognitive function. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).
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Details
- Title
- The effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine on dendritic development evidence of targeting of specific cortical areas dependent upon neurotransmitter innervation
- Creators
- Liesl Beth Kerns Jones
- Contributors
- Pat Levitt (Advisor) - Drexel University, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998)
- Awarding Institution
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 209 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Anatomy (and Neurobiology) [Historical]; Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998); School of Medicine (1996-1998)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888832704721