From the Publisher:  

     Brain Development:  Normal Processes and the Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine provides a thorough description of the intricate events underlying normal development of the nervous system and mechanisms through which alcohol and nicotine interfere with that development.  Understanding the impact of these two toxins is not only of clinical import, it highlights the plasticity and resilience of the developing brain.  Through exploring the effects of these toxins, the book brings a richer appreciation of brain development.  Thus, the book will be of interest to neuroscientists, developmental biologists, tetratogists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, and to their students and trainees. 

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1.     Models of Neurotoxicity Provide Unique Insight into Normal Development

PART I.     Normal Development

Chapter 2.   Cell Proliferation

Chapter 3.     Neuronal Migration

Chapter 4.     Neuronal Differentiation:  From Axons to Synapses

Chapter 5.     Cell Death

Chapter 6.     Intracellular Pathways of Neuronal

Chapter 7.     Developmental Disorders and Evolutionary Expectations:  Mechanisms of Resilience

PART II.     Ethanol-Affected Development

Chapter 8.     Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Human Development

Chapter 9.     Influence of Alcohol on the Structure of the Developing Human Brain

Chapter 10.   Prenatal Ethanol Exposure and Fetal Programming:  Implications for Endocrine and Immune Development and Long-Term Health

Chapter 11.   Early Exposure to Ethanol Affects the Proliferation of Neuronal Precursors

Chapter 12.   Effects of Ethanol on the Regulation of Cell Cycle in Neural Stem Cells

Chapter 13.   Mechanisms of Ethanol-Induced Alterations in Neuronal Migration

Chapter 14.   Effects of Ethanol on Mechanisms Regulating Neuronal Process Outgrowth

Chapter 15.   Neuronal Survival Is Compromised by Ethanol:  Extracellular Mediators

Chapter 16.   Intracellular Events in Ethanol-Induced Neuronal Death

Chapter 17.   Neural Crest and Developmental Exposure to Ethanol

Chapter 18.   Glial Targets of Developmental Exposure to Ethanol

PART III.    Nicotine-Affected Development

Chapter 19.   Tobacco Use During Pregnancy

Chapter 20.   Prenatal Nicotine Exposure and Animal Behavior

Chapter 21.   Neuronal Receptors for Nicotine:  Functional Diversity and Developmental Changes

Chapter 22.   Neural Precursors as Preferential Targets for Drug Abuse:  Long-Term Consequences and Latent Susceptability to Central Nervous System Disorders

Chapter 23.   Nicotinic Receptor Regulation of Developing Catecholamine Systems

INDEX