The effect of prenatal cocaine exposure on the stress response of adult mice

The neurotoxic consequences of intrauterine exposure to drugs of abuse, including cocaine, may include compromised fetal brain development with associated lasting behavioral alterations. Some infants exposed to cocainein utero demonstrate impairments in reactivity and altered behavioral responses to stressful conditions. Alterations in arousal regulation can impact on socialization, adaptation, and educability. Moreover, such alterations may render cocaine-exposed children more vulnerable to the adverse developmental impact of stressful situations, with implications for subsequent behavior and psychopathology.