Furthermore, previous work in our lab (Whitcher & Klintsova, 2008) explored the effects of third-trimester equivalent binge-like alcohol exposure on apical dendrites and found a significant decrease in spine density but no difference in dendritic complexity. Comparatively, the results of this study demonstrate that in the basilar dendrites of those same animals alcohol exposure reduces dendritic complexity as well changes the ratio of mature to immature spines without affecting spine density. These distinct effects of neonatal alcohol exposure on the apical versus basilar branches indicate a different outcome for connectivity or input on the two regions of the dendritic tree. Structural changes in mPFC neurons lead to changes in their function. These different structural effects also could support the possibility that the effects of developmental alcohol exposure on different neuronal layers in the cortex, and even unique neuronal parts of dendritic tree (i.e. apical versus basal), are secondary to the effects on afferent connections.
