Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Monday, April 29, 2013

FASD News - 16/2013

 
 
 
NEWS and ARTICLES

NOFAS – NOFAS responds to “light drinking” Research

Research published last week in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology affirms that, “…the safest option for pregnant women is to avoid drinking [alcohol] during pregnancies.” Although, if you read the headlines or the research sponsor’s news release you wouldn’t find that statement anywhere.


Canada.com (Canada) - Signs warn of risk in mixing booze, pregnancy

Nanaimo's liquor-service sector will soon be required to warn patrons about the dangers of mixing alcohol with pregnancy.


Canada FASD Research Network - Light Drinking During Pregnancy: CanFASD Responds to Confusing Information That Continues to Cloud the Issue

A recent article, in the BBC (April 16, 2013) online reported about a study in an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG). The headlines read: “Light drinking ‘not harmful to baby’ say scientists,” and “Light drinking during pregnancy does not harm child behavioural or mental development.”


UPI.com - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder linked to pot's active ingredient

Endocannabinoids, compounds chemically similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, play a role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, U.S. researchers say.


The Toronto Observer (Canada) - Ad campaign turning heads one belly at a time

While roaming around Toronto these days you might have seen some interesting poster ads. Ads displaying words such as ‘love’, ‘joy’, ‘mom’ and ‘hope’, have been turning heads because the letter ‘O’ is actually the bare belly of a pregnant woman.


Northern Advocate (New Zealand) - Safer Journeys - North mums-to-be putting babies at risk

Mums-to-be are putting their babies at risk by continuing to drink during pregnancy, and even driving under the influence of alcohol.


Medical Daily - Rich Women Most Likely to Binge Drink

Binge drinking is a risk factor in many health and social problems that affect women, including unintentional injuries, violence, liver disease, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, breast and other cancers, reduced cognitive function, and alcohol dependence.




VIDEOS and MATERIALS

YourAlberta - FASD Prevention: Women and Pregnancy

This session provides background information on FASD including data on alcohol use during pregnancy, how FASD can be prevented, and challenges that are faced in interventions.


YourAlberta - The Role of the Grandmother in FASD Care and Support

In this session, Florence and Donita explore the seven stages of a woman's life, to create awareness of what the woman requires at each stage and how best to support her.


YourAlberta - Engaging Students with FASD

Dr. Jacqueline Pei gives a brief overview of the challenges a child with FASD will face in the classroom environment and focus on strategies for their success.


YourAlberta - Forensic Assessments of Youth Affected by FASD

Dr. Ann Marie Dewhurst will discuss the differences between traditional psychological assessments and forensic assessments.


YourAlberta - Living with FASD - As a Person, As a Parent

This session is intended to share the experiences of a mother who both lives with a diagnosis of FASD and parents one child with and one without FASD.


YourAlberta - Winning the Battle With FASD: A Family Success Story

The Soetaert Family will provide an in depth conversation of how a family of five affected by FASD cope with the day to day challenges as well as successes.


YourAlberta - FASD and Practice: Issues for Prosecutors

This session will provide a brief overview of mental health provisions of the Criminal Code.


mofasorg - FASD Prevention

Do you know what FASD is? Can you describe one symptom of someone with an FASD? Did you know that there are myths and facts surrounding FASD? This training will help to answer those questions and will provide strategies and resource information for you or someone that you know. FASD is preventable.


YourAlberta - Financial Literacy for Individuals with FASD

This session will examine the financial literacy training needed by individuals with FASD.


Telethon Institute Newsletter - Alcohol, Pregnancy and FASD Newsletter

Welcome to the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Alcohol, Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Research Group April 2013 Newsletter.


SAMSHA – FASD the Course




UPCOMING EVENTS

First International Conference on Prevention of FASD - September 23 - 25, 2013

This is the first international conference to address the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of FASD. Plenary sessions will promote discussion and reflection on promising and innovative approaches for preventing FASD, such as policies and programs to address alcohol use and the social determinants of health.


Australasian FASD Conference - 19- 20 November 2013

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) invite you to the Australasian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Conference in Brisbane on 19- 20 November 2013.


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Best Practices in the Last Frontier - May 22-24, 2013




IN OTHER LANGUAGES

YLE (Finland) - Alkoholivaurioituneet lapset tarvitsevat enemmän tukea

Suomessa ei tarkkaan diagnosoida alkoholivaurioituneita lapsia. Lapsi jolla on FASD, eli alkoholin altistuksen aiheuttama monimuotoinen oireyhtymä, tarvitsee neuropsykologi Åse Fagerlundin mukaan enemmän yhteiskunnan tukea.


Berliner Zeitung (Germany) - Expertin: Kinder suchtkranker Eltern brauchen mehr Hilfe

Kinder suchtkranker Eltern brauchen nach Ansicht von Experten noch mehr gezielte Hilfe aus der gesamten Gesellschaft.




RESEARCH

BJOG - Light drinking versus abstinence in pregnancy – behavioural and cognitive outcomes in 7-year-old children: a longitudinal cohort study

The findings suggest that light drinking during pregnancy is not linked to developmental problems in mid-childhood. These findings support current UK Department of Health guidelines on drinking during pregnancy.


Alcoholism - Associations Between Multivitamin Supplement Use and Alcohol Consumption Before Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2004 to 2008

Approximately 50 to 70% of childbearing-aged women consume alcohol and up to 23% of pregnancies have some level of prenatal alcohol exposure.


The Journal of Neuroscience - Anandamide–CB1 Receptor Signaling Contributes to Postnatal Ethanol-Induced Neonatal Neurodegeneration, Adult Synaptic, and Memory Deficits

The transient exposure of immature rodents to ethanol during postnatal day 7 (P7), which is comparable with the third trimester in human pregnancy, induces synaptic dysfunctions.


Health Education and Behavior - A Comparison of Maternal Outcomes From an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Program for Mothers Choosing an Intervention Versus Being Randomized

Self-determination theory and substantial research findings suggest that more desirable outcomes may occur when participants are able to choose their prevention or treatment interventions, as having a choice may lead to greater motivation and feelings of self-efficacy.


Disease Models and Mechanisms - Long lasting alterations to DNA methylation and ncRNAs may underlie the effects of fetal alcohol exposure

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are characterized by life long changes in gene expression, neurodevelopment, and behavior. What mechanisms initiate and maintain these changes are not known, but current research suggests a role for alcohol induced epigenetic changes.