The effects of acamprosate on maternal and neonatal outcomes in a mouse model of alcohol use disorders

Despite the teratogenic effects of alcohol, little is known about the safety of pharmacotherapies such as acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol use disorders in pregnancy. The aims of this study were to investigate, in a mouse model, the effects of maternally administered acamprosate on maternal and neonatal health, offspring neurodevelopment and behaviour, as well as examine whether acamprosate reduces the neurological harm associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Citation:
Quintrell E, Wyrwoll C, Rosenow T, Larcombe A, Kelty E. The effects of acamprosate on maternal and neonatal outcomes in a mouse model of alcohol use disorders. Physiol Behav. 2023;259

Keywords:
Acamprosate; Behaviour; Neurodevelopment; Pregnancy; Rodent

Abstract:
Despite the teratogenic effects of alcohol, little is known about the safety of pharmacotherapies such as acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol use disorders in pregnancy. The aims of this study were to investigate, in a mouse model, the effects of maternally administered acamprosate on maternal and neonatal health, offspring neurodevelopment and behaviour, as well as examine whether acamprosate reduces the neurological harm associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy.