Modeling alcohol's effects on organs in animal models

Researchers have developed numerous animal models to investigate the develo pment of various alcohol-related diseases. Such models have provided insigh ts into the mechanism through which alcohol can induce liver damage, Animal models also have helped researchers explore the mechanisms by which both s hort-term (e.g., binge) and long-term drinking can interfere with the funct ion of the heart, a condition referred to as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Furt hermore, animal models have provided substantial information on the causes of fetal alcohol syndrome. Such models have demonstrated that exposure to a lcohol during gestation can lead to prenatal and postnatal growth retardati on, characteristic facial malformations, immune system deficiencies, and al terations in the central nervous system.