PowerPoint Presentation

Current research: fetal alcohol spectrum disorderDavid GilliamSchool of psychological sciences

Facial features of FASIntellectual disabilities and delayed development; Learning disorders; Abnormal behavior: short attention span, hyperactivity, poor impulse control

MouseHumanWhite arrows (left) and black arrows (right) indicate damaged corpus callosum. A and B are normal; C-F show damage from prenatal alcohol exposure.

We are interested in studying how alcohol affects all phases of brain development

Vapor Inhalation of AlcoholWe use ethanol vapor inhalation to expose mouse pups to alcoholMice exposed to ethanol vapor on postnatal days 7-9 showed slightly elevated activity levels at 35-38 days of age compared to pups exposed to air.65-Minute Blocks= SEMAt older ages, pups exposed to ethanol vapor from postnatal day 7-9 showed significantly elevated activity levels compared to those exposed to air.7

We are now developing a method to examine how learning and memory are affected by developmental exposure to ethanol vapor. Above, you will see the components of the test apparatus.

Water Maze Platform LocationsThis picture shows the water maze pool and hidden platform locations.9

Mouse Finds PlatformThis video shows a mouse finding the platform. The mouse was trained to find a submerged platform for seven days, using four trials per day.10

Mouse Searches Platform AreaThis video shows a mouse searching for the platform one day after training is completed. The platform was removed from the pool and the number of times the mouse crosses the virtual platform location and the percent time spent in the quadrant where the platform was located are used as memory measurements.11As a student in my laboratory you will learn to:

Handle mice

Use vapor ethanol exposure chamber

Test mice in water maze

Record and analyze data

Write reportContact Dave Gilliam at:970 351-2951McKee 15adavid.gilliam@unco.edu