FASD News Roundup August 2010
I Australian News
- New Norcia Wine Leads the Way with Important Warning Labels
- Australian Senator Praises BC Response to FASD (17/12/09)
- Alcohol legacy ‘ruins’ children
- The 30th Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Conference 28 November – 1 December 2010 Canberra
- FASD is now in the Western Australian “Equality Before the Law” Bench Book
- AER Research
- ANCD Consultation on Drug and Alcohol Issues
II International News & Media Articles
- Canadian Report — Parenting children with FASD
- The 4th International Conference in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand — FASD & Justice Seminar
- Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol: The Role of Addiction Psychiatry
- Why middle class women are dying for a drink: Alcohol abuse among professional women is causing devastating health problems
- Braided Cord – New book on FASD by Liz Kulp
- Audiocast for 4th National Biennial Conference on Adults with FASD
III Latest FASD Research
- Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Studied in Mice Peptides derived from neurotrophic factors found to reverse alcohol-induced deficits
- Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
- Motor-skill activities hold promise of rewiring children’s damaged brains
- Prenatal exposure to alcohol dulls the pain response in babies
- Link between Brain Structure and Mathematical Ability may Lead to Better Treatment for Children with FASD
- Training Helps Children Make and Keep Friends
- Normal distribution of palpebral fissure lengths in canadian school age children.
- Dangers of Drug And Alcohol Use During Pregnancy: Medics Ask For More Training
- Epilepsy risk rises when pregnant mothers drink
- Paternal Genetic Contribution Influences Fetal Vulnerability to Maternal Alcohol Consumption in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Fetal alcohol disorders common in Eastern Europe adoptees
- Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Chronic Mild Stress Differentially Alter Depressive- and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Male and Female Offspring
- Genetic and epigenetic insights into fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- New eye test may detect learning disabilities, early Alzheimer’s,FASD
- Drinking While Pregnant Tied to Rare Leukemia in Offspring
- Repeated third trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure inhibits long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal rats
- Screening, Diagnosing and Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Is This Syndrome Treatable?
- Progress in Fetal and Neonatal Brain Injury Research
- Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Pregnant women who drink alcohol may reduce the sperm count of sons
- Impact of prenatal alcohol consumption on placenta-associated syndrome
I Australian News
1. New Norcia Wine Leads the Way with Important Warning Labels
New Norcia Abbey Wines has committed to labelling its wine bottles with a warning that drinking alcohol can harm an unborn baby, in what is thought to be the first of its kind in Australia.
The programme was initiated by the Country Women’s Association of Western Australia (CWA) which felt that wine producers have a duty of care to outline the risks involved.
Member at the CWA’s Walkaway Branch, Helen Harrison, said that most Australians know that drinking alcohol can harm their unborn baby, but do not exactly know what ‘harm’ meant…
…Mrs Harrison saw the need for a state programme and raised a motion with the CWA…
…The CWA hopes to work with other organisations which manufacture and distribute alcoholic beverages in the future, as well as the National Organisation of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum and Related Disorders, to further the campaign and bring Australia up to speed with countries such as France, Canada and the USA, where warning labels on alcoholic drinks are mandatory.
2. Australian Senator Praises BC Response to FASD (17/12/09)
Nigel Scullion, who represents Australia’s Northern Territory in the Australian Senate, wants to broaden the knowledge about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in his country.
Visiting the Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in British Columbia Canada to learn about diagnosing, treating and supporting the families of those with FASD, Senator Scullion said, “You’re far in front of where our country is and there are lessons to be learned nationally and at the local level”.
The Northern Territory of Australia faces similar issues to Canada’s north — isolation, alcoholism and poverty, but Scullion noted that where alcoholism and its related issues used to be prevalent in lower socio-economic sectors, “now it’s in the mainstream community.”
There’s still a low level of recognition of FASD in his country, he points out that has to be addressed with increased awareness. Spending money on public education, such as putting notices in pubs and washrooms can have an impact and is an investment in youth, Scullion said.
Phil Melnychuk — Maple Ridge News
3. Alcohol legacy ‘ruins’ children
Many juveniles appearing before the Children’s Court in the East Kimberley have undiagnosed foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, the region’s magistrate says. Read the full story here on Yahoo! news.
4. The 30th Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Conference 28 November – 1 December 2010 Canberra.
One of the key note speakers is Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM – Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health at The University of Sydney; Consultant Paediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Director of The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) and an NHMRC Practitioner Fellow. She is involved in diagnosis/management, research and teaching regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
For registration go to http://www.apsadconference.com.au/registration/
5. FASD is now in the Western Australian “Equality Before the Law” Bench Book
http://www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au/publications/pdf/equality_before_the_law_chapter4.pdf
6. AER Research
A new Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER) survey into community attitudes towards alcohol reveals that, despite understanding the dangers of consuming alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding, new and expectant mothers still choose to drink.
Read full release online: http://www.aerf.com.au/showcase/releases.aspx
7. ANCD Consultation on Drug and Alcohol Issues
Thursday 19 August 2010 8.30am — 10.15am
To be held at the
Rydges World Square, Sydney
389 Pitt Street
Sydney
The ANCD is seeking views from non-government, community based, government, education, health and law enforcement staff.
This is your chance to have your voice heard on issues that are important to you, your organisation and your community. The forum aims to be a collage of opinions, ideas and resolutions across a range of areas. The conclusions from the forum will be reported in the ANCD communiqué which is sent to a number of key decision makers and stakeholders and placed on the ANCD website.
The Australian National Council on Drugs is the principal advisory body to government on drug policy and plays a critical role in ensuring the voice of the community is heard in relation to drug related policies and strategies.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to other relevant personnel
II International news and media articles
1. Canadian Report — Parenting children with FASD
This qualitative research from the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) in BC Canada in 2006 provides some insightful information about family life when FASD is a factor, and includes excellent feedback on experiences with the issue of gaining a diagnosis.
http://www.von.ca/FASD/index.html
2. The 4th International Conference in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Conference Date: March 2–5, 2011
This 4th International conference will provide an advanced forum for emerging and cutting edge research, policy and practice that will assist governments, service systems, service providers, parents and caregivers, as we strive to address the complex issues of FASD. This new knowledge will be an impetus for critical action in supporting women, individuals, families, and communities around the world.
Please go to here to view the Advance Notice (PDF)
3. Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand — FASD & Justice Seminar
A well attended FASD and Justice seminar was held in NZ on March 31st with international guest Assistant Professor Natalie Novick Brown. Sharing her experience of addressing FASD in the criminal justice system, some profound life and death information was heard. Thanks to all who participated, including Vicki Russell from the Drug Education Network in Tasmania who shared what is happening across the Tasman. A special thanks to Natalie for sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise with us so far from home!
Key points noted include:
- Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause brain damage at any stage of development – with or without the characteristic face of FAS or growth
- IQ is an inadequate marker for FASD with the deficits showing more clearly through adaptive behavior measures. The wider the gap between the two, the higher the risk of problems
- New ways of viewing the brain (eg Diffusion Tensing Imaging) show there can be structural and functional deficits in many regions of the brain exposed to alcohol before birth shedding light on what was previously a hidden disability
- Not all youth with FASD get in trouble with the law but their behavior places them at greater risk of arrest when there are few protective factors in place
- Developmental Disability Services in the State of Washington is an excellent model of protective factors for FASD
- Evaluations from the day strongly point to new levels of understanding being experienced with many wishing to share this information with colleagues. Others felt the information helped their approaches with clients where FASD may be a factor in the justice and other sectors while others expressed a desire to have more training on how best to approach the specific needs relating to FASD. If you would like a PDF copy of Natalie’s slides, she has graciously given her permission so please send your request through to christine [at] ahw [dot] org.nz
4. Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol: The Role of Addiction Psychiatry
From the Official Newsletter of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry March 2010
Volume 26, Number 1 http://www.mofas.org/
5. Why middle class women are dying for a drink: Alcohol abuse among professional women is causing devastating health problems
6. Braided Cord – New book on FASD by Liz Kulp
Liz Kulp, was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) as a young teen. Knowing her challenges and understanding her strengths helped her graduate from public high school and strive to move on to independent adulthood like her peers. But, she soon learned that life within the context of a family that understood and helped her gain the desire for independence had not prepared her to live in a world filled with predators and abstract thinking. Liz unashamedly lets readers inside the world of adult transition for many of our young people with FASD. It is a story you will not soon forget.
7. Audiocast for 4th National Biennial Conference on Adults with FASD
April 14 — 17, 2010 :Vancouver, BC — the audio and the presentation slides of the plenary sessions of the conference are now available online http://www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/Adults.html.
III Latest FASD Research
1. Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Studied in Mice Peptides derived from neurotrophic factors found to reverse alcohol-induced deficits
http://www.modernmedicine.com/
2. Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
This study provides improved understanding of the differences in neurophysiological processing responsible for the behavioral symptoms in these two different groups, which may in turn, provide important clues regarding new treatments that may be more effective for treating ADHD symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127164015.htm
3. Motor-skill activities hold promise of rewiring children’s damaged brains
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/
4. Prenatal exposure to alcohol dulls the pain response in babies
According to this new study from the University of British Columbia
5. Link between Brain Structure and Mathematical Ability may Lead to Better Treatment for Children with FASD
http://www.attcnetwork.org/explore/priorityareas/science/tools/asmeDetails.asp?ID=639
6. Training Helps Children Make and Keep Friends
http://www.attcnetwork.org/explore/priorityareas/science/tools/asmeDetails.asp?ID=640
7. Normal distribution of palpebral fissure lengths in canadian school age children.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20147771?dopt=Abstract
8. Dangers Of Drug And Alcohol Use During Pregnancy: Medics Ask For More Training
A new study in NZ has found that doctors and nurses believe they need more training and resources to help them talk to pregnant women about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1002/S00056.htm
9. Epilepsy risk rises when pregnant mothers drink
Researchers found that children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are more likely to suffer from seizures. http://www.themedguru.com/fetal-alcohol-exposure-raises-epilepsy-risk-study
10. Paternal Genetic Contribution Influences Fetal Vulnerability to Maternal Alcohol Consumption in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0010058
11. Fetal alcohol disorders common in Eastern Europe adoptees
Many children adopted from Eastern European countries may have been exposed to damaging levels of alcohol in the womb, a new study suggests.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2010/04/13/eline/links/20100413elin003.html
12. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Chronic Mild Stress Differentially Alter Depressive- and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Male and Female Offspring
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20102562
13. Genetic and epigenetic insights into fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Parental alcohol exposure and its effect on offspring has been recognized for centuries, but only recently have we begun to gain molecular insight into the mechanisms involved in alcohol teratogenesis. Genetic attributes (susceptibility and protective alleles) of the mother and the fetus contribute to the risk of developing FASD and specific additional environmental conditions, including malnutrition, have an important role…Preconception alcohol exposure can also have a detrimental effect on the offspring.
14. New eye test may detect learning disabilities, early Alzheimer’s, FASD
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/377297
15. Drinking While Pregnant Tied to Rare Leukemia in Offspring
published in the May edition of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
16. Repeated third trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure inhibits long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal rats
Alcohol Volume 44, Issue 3, May 2010, Pages 283–290
17. Screening, Diagnosing and Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Is This Syndrome Treatable?
18. Progress in Fetal and Neonatal Brain Injury Research
19. Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100621173725.htm
20. Pregnant women who drink alcohol may reduce the sperm count of sons
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jun/29/pregnant-women-alcohol-sperm-count
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