ALCOHOL AND WHITE-MATTER DEVELOPMENT - A REVIEW

This is a review of the literature on the effects of alcohol on white matter development. For many years, human and animal studies have repo rted the vulnerability of developing white matter to the effects of al cohol. However, until recently, studies on alcohol and white matter we re limited by existing technology. New technology documenting the pres ence of neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels on glial cells now provides a new focus for research on alcohol and white matter develop ment. New research using new technology should enlarge our knowledge o f the role of glial cells in brain damage associated with alcohol expo sure during development.