Researchers uncover genetic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
VANCOUVER — Canadian researchers are one step closer to uncovering a biomarker associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder after identifying distinct patterns associated with the DNA of children who were exposed to alcohol in the womb.
The investigation, led by the University of British Columbia, analyzed DNA samples from 110 children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder across the country.
“We’re entering into a new era where having insights into what’s going on behind these neurodevelopment disabilities, and FASD in particular, isn’t a matter of us throwing up our hands and saying there’s nothing we can do,” said Daniel Goldowitz, scientific director of the Kids Brain Health Network.
“In fact, everything indicates that there is a lot that we could do.”