PRENATAL COCAINE DECREASES THE TROPHIC FACTOR S-100-BETA AND INDUCED MICROCEPHALY - REVERSAL BY POSTNATAL 5-HT1A RECEPTOR AGONIST

In utero exposure to cocaine results in neurobehavioral abnormalities in both clinical and laboratory studies. Cocaine administration from e mbryonic day 13 to parturition disrupts the distribution of S-100-posi tive astrocytes in the hippocampus and subplate region of the cortex i n cocaine-exposed animals. Postnatal treatment with ipsapirone, a 5-HT 1A agonist, shown to stimulate glial release of S-100, alleviated the cellular disruptions and growth retardation caused by prenatal cocaine exposure.