Dose-dependent effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on synaptic plasticity and learning in mature offspring.

Background: We have observed profound deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and one-trial learning in offspring whose mothers drank moderate quantities of ethanol during pregnancy. In the present study, we examined the question of whether lower maternal blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) could produce functional deficits in offspring.

Methods: Rat dams consumed either a 2%, 3%, or 5% ethanol liquid diet throughout gestation.