EFFECTS OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL ACROSS THE LIFE-SPAN

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can have many detrimental effects through out the life span. Of primary concern are changes in the brain that le ad to deficiencies in cognitive functioning, including memory and lear ning problems, attention deficits, poor motor coordination, and diffic ulties with problem-solving. These cognitive deficiencies create long- standing problems in many spheres of life, including disturbances in w ork, school, and social functioning Treatment strategies that have bee n used with other cognitively impaired populations may be adapted to a ssist patients who display the various cognitive symptoms associated w ith prenatal alcohol exposure.