The Effects of Physostigmine on Open‐Field Behavior in Rats Exposed to Alcohol Prenatally

The present study examined the effects of physostigmine, a chofin‐esterase inhibitor, on activity in young rats whose mothers consumed isocaloric liquid diets containing 35% or 0% ethand‐derived calories on days 6–20 of pregnancy. A pair‐feeding procedure was utilized and an ad libitum lab chow group was included. Physostigmine was administered to 18‐day‐oM offspring on 3 consecutive days with activity measures recorded for 30 mm each day. Injections of physostigmine produced significant reductions in activity in alcohol‐exposed offspring relative to control groups. These results provide support for a functional cholinergic deficit in offspring exposed to alcohol in utero and may have relevant clinical implications in the treatment of atterrtional deficit disorder which can occur following prenatal alcohol exposure.