PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alexandre E. Medina
AU  - Thomas E. Krahe
AU  - Ary S. Ramoa
TI  - Restoration of Neuronal Plasticity by a Phosphodiesterase Type 1 Inhibitor in a Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
AID  - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4177-05.2006
DP  - 2006 Jan 18
TA  - The Journal of Neuroscience
PG  - 1057--1060
VI  - 26
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/26/3/1057.short
4100  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/26/3/1057.full
SO  - J. Neurosci.2006 Jan 18; 26
AB  - Although some studies showed the efficacy of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors as neuronal plasticity enhancers, little is known about the effectiveness of these drugs to improve plasticity in cases of mental retardation. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation in the western world. Using a combination of electrophysiological and optical imaging techniques, we show here that vinpocetine, a PDE type I inhibitor, restores ocular dominance plasticity in the ferret model of fetal alcohol exposure. Our finding should contribute to a better understanding and treatment of cognitive deficits associated with mental disorders, such as FAS.