Research
My research is focused on the examination of ethanol’s teratogenic effects during early gestation using a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Specifically, one aspect of my research is on the neuroanatomical and neurobehavioral effects of early ethanol exposure. For these neuroanatomical studies, we employ high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to uncover the specific stage-dependent effects of ethanol on brain structure, while the neurobehavioral consequences of early ethanol exposure are examined through the utilization of a battery of sensory, motor and cognitive tests.
Another focus of my research is on the role of ethanol in the development of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This project seeks to determine one of the underlying causes of SIDS by exploring ethanol’s teratogenic effects on the carotid body – a chemosensory organ partially responsible for respiratory rates and sleep arousal – by examining its structure and function in ethanol-exposed neonatal mice.
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Center Line Articles
Recent Publications
Click here for a full list of publications from PubMed
Magnetic resonance-based imaging in animal models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. O'Leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Lipinski RJ, Sulik KK. Neuropsychol Rev. 2011 Jun;21(2):167-85.
Reduction of ethanol-induced ocular abnormalities in mice through dietary administration of N-acetylcysteine. Parnell SE, Sulik KK, Dehart DB, Chen SY. Alcohol. 2010 Nov-Dec;44(7-8):699-705.
Ventromedian forebrain dysgenesis follows early prenatal ethanol exposure in mice. Godin EA, Dehart DB, Parnell SE, O'Leary-Moore SK, Sulik KK. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2011 Mar-Apr;33(2):231-9.
Magnetic resonance microscopy-based analyses of the brains of normal and ethanol-exposed fetal mice. O'Leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Godin EA, Dehart DB, Ament JJ, Khan AA, Johnson GA, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2010 Nov;88(11):953-64.
Genesis of teratogen-induced holoprosencephaly in mice. Lipinski RJ, Godin EA, O'leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Sulik KK. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2010 Feb 15;154C(1):29-42.
Magnetic resonance microscopy defines ethanol-induced brain abnormalities in prenatal mice: effects of acute insult on gestational day 7. Godin EA, O'Leary-Moore SK, Khan AA, Parnell SE, Ament JJ, Dehart DB, Johnson BW, Allan Johnson G, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2010 Jan;34(1):98-111.
Magnetic resonance microscopy defines ethanol-induced brain abnormalities in prenatal mice: effects of acute insult on gestational day 8. Parnell SE, O'Leary-Moore SK, Godin EA, Dehart DB, Johnson BW, Allan Johnson G, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009 Jun;33(6):1001-11.
Concurrent dietary administration of D-SAL and ethanol diminishes ethanol's teratogenesis. Parnell SE, Chen SY, Charness ME, Hodge CW, Dehart DB, Sulik KK. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007 Dec;31(12):2059-64.
Chronic ethanol increases fetal cerebral blood flow specific to the ethanol-sensitive cerebellum under normoxaemic, hypercapnic and acidaemic conditions: ovine model. Parnell SE, Ramadoss J, Delp MD, Ramsey MW, Chen WJ, West JR, Cudd TA. Exp Physiol. 2007 Sep;92(5):933-43.
Maternal oral intake mouse model for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: ocular defects as a measure of effect. Parnell SE, Dehart DB, Wills TA, Chen SY, Hodge CW, Besheer J, Waage-Baudet HG, Charness ME, Sulik KK. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006 Oct;30(10):1791-8.
Nicotine decreases blood alcohol concentrations in adult rats: a phenomenon potentially related to gastric function. Parnell SE, West JR, Chen WJ. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006 Aug;30(8):1408-13.
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Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill