"Prenatal nicotine exposure and behavior" by Victoria Rossi, Tara L. Messenger et al.

Psychiatry Publications and Presentations

Title

Prenatal nicotine exposure and behavior

Authors

Victoria Rossi, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Tara L. Messenger, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
D. Peters, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Craig F. Ferris, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Jean A. King, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry

Date

3-6-2004

Document Type

Article

Medical Subject Headings

Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Behavior, Animal; Cricetinae; Female; Hypothalamus; Nicotine; Pregnancy; *Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Disciplines

Psychiatry

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to nicotine has been associated with changes in behavioral indices in offspring. Flank marking, a scent-marking behavior in golden hamsters, appears to be controlled by arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the hypothalamus. The present study examines the effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine on the vasopressinergic system associated with flank marking behavior.