CIFASD – Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – CIFASD coordinates research projects aimed at developing effective intervention and treatment for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

The purpose of this consortium is to inform and develop effective interventions and treatment approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), through multidisciplinary research involving basic, behavioral and clinical investigators and projects. We hope to develop an infrastructure to foster collaboration and coordinate basic, clinical and translational research on FASD.

This advancement will help clinicians more accurately and reliably diagnose FASD.

Dr. Mike Suttie, CIFASD Investigator, Uses Machine Learning to Improve Facial Imaging

Prenatal alcohol exposure altered the sonic hedgehog pathway and primary cilia genes within 24 hours of exposure. In addition, partially knocking down the cilia gene Kif3a exacerbated prenatal alcohol effects on adolescent behavior.

CIFASD investigator, Dr. Scott Parnell, Finds Pathways Disrupted by Prenatal Alcohol That May Influence Development

Drs. Coles, Kable and Chambers report that preschool aged children exposed to heavy prenatal alcohol exposure had impairments in nonverbal ability and executive functioning that are typically seen in older children. These results suggest that the effects of prenatal alcohol can be identified in preschool children; when children are identified early in life, they can receive needed interventions.

Executive Functioning Problems Identified in Preschoolers with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

CIFASD investigators find that children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure show altered social behaviors and smaller areas of the brain important for social functioning (precuneus and later orbitofrontal cortex). Little is known of the neurodevelopmental origins of social deficits in individuals with FASD, but these results could eventually lead to brain-informed interventions for social functioning.

Social Regions of Brain Are Impacted by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Using a zebrafish model, Dr. Eberhart showed that alcohol interacts with pathways that alter cell migration and movements, which would disrupt development. This could be one way in which alcohol can damage the developing fetus.

Bioinformatics Reveals a Cellular Cause of Ethanol Teratogenesis

Children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure have deficits in social and executive functioning and findings indicate that executive functioning impairments may impact social ability. These findings suggest that improving executive functioning may benefit social abilities.

Problems with Executive Functioning and Social Functioning in Individuals with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Are Related to One Another

This highly shared article illustrates how a woman's partner may influence risk for having a child with FASD.

CIFASD Study Shows That Partner Influence Impacts Maternal Alcohol Consumption

If you want to know about tools to help you on your parenting journey you are going to want to listen to the podcast at: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/blog/podcast-episode-072

CIFASD Investigator, Gives Podcast on Changing the Story about FASD
on Jeff Noble’s FASD Success Show

CIFASD investigator, Scott Parnell, shows that innate differences in embryonic gene expression mediate the development of prenatal alcohol-related birth defects in mouse models.

Genetic Differences Mediate the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol-Related Birth Defects

The CIFASD dysmorphology core, headed by Ken Jones and Miguel del Campo, shows that primary physical measurements and subject features used to diagnose an FASD can be reliably evaluated remotely using telemedicine. This will help expand our ability to diagnose FASD worldwide.

Telemedicine Works to Assess the Physical Features of FASD

CIFASD investigator, Dr. Christie Petrenko, holds a podcast entitled "From Surviving to Thriving with FASD" at fasdhope.com.

From Surviving to Thriving FASD

CIFASD investigators identify potential blood markers for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Drs. Rakesh Miranda and Christina Chambers find that a blood test that may help predict how severely a baby will be affected by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

CIFASD Investigators Identify Potential Blood Markers

CIFASD investigator Dr. Michael Charness to give a talk on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders at the NIAAA 50th Anniversary Research Symposium.

Dr. Michael Charness to give a talk at the NIAAA Research Symposium

FASD research, including work by CIFASD investigators is highlighted in the latest NIAAA Spectrum.

NIAAA Spectrum: Advances in Research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

CIFASD investigators Christie Petrenko and Christian Tapparello create the first mobile app for caregivers of children with FASD.

New Mobile App for Caregivers of Children With FASD

The study is enrolling adults and children with prenatal alcohol exposure or an FASD diagnosis. Everything is done online. Participants receive a $50 gift card for providing a little information about themselves, some facial photographs, and a saliva sample.

CIFASD Research Study: Dissecting the Genetics of FASD (DiG FASD)

Listen to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Dr. Jeffrey Wozniak on NavNeuro.com.

Listen to podcast

CIFASD investigator, Dr. Jeff Wozniak, Discusses FASD in Navigating Neuropsychology Podcast

PBS NewsHour Focuses on FASD:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are more common than you think.

CIFASD Investigator Dr. Jeff Wozniak Meets with the PBS Team

The CDC released new guidelines urging women of childbearing age to avoid drinking alcohol unless they are using contraception. This new guideline is designed to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is a 100 percent preventable condition.

Is It OK To Drink Alcohol While Pregnant? 10 Things You Should Know

In an effort to once and for all put a rest to any debate about drinking during pregnancy, the American Academy of Pediatrics has put out a clear message: Don't do it. Ever. At all. Not even a tiny bit. "No amount of alcohol should be considered safe to drink during any trimester of pregnancy," the group wrote.

No Alcohol during Pregnancy – Ever – Plead U.S. Pediatricians

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