Using the three trimester equivalent exposure model, we demonstrate significant alterations on dendritic morphology in layer II/III mPFC pyramidal cells similar to those previously reported in the hippocampus (Abel et al., 1983, Davies and Smith, 1981, Durand et al., 1989, Gonzalez-Burgos et al., 2006, Kuge et al., 1993, Saunders et al., 1995, Tarelo Acuna et al., 2000), visual cortex (Cui et al. 2010) and sensory cortex (al-Rabiai and Miller 1989, Fabregues et al., 1985, Galofre et al., 1987, Hammer and Scheibel 1981, Stoltenburg-Didinger and Spohr, 1983) following developmental ethanol exposure. This study is the first to utilize fully reconstructed neurons in the mPFC to quantify spine density and distribution following ethanol exposure during development and shows specific and localized reductions of spines on basilar and apical dendrites proximal to the cell body. A reduction in spines in this particular area is consistent with ethanol-induced reductions in excitatory input arising from area CA1 of the hippocampus (Jay et al., 1992, Parent et al., 2010, Swanson, 1981, Theirry et al., 2000, Heidbreder and Groenewegen, 2003, Spruston 2008). This in turn could lead to reduced neuronal output from the mPFC which would include reduced output to the NAC.
