Synapse
Vol 21, 1995; 332-341
by M.S. Lidow

Dr. Michael Lidow (Yale University) has been investigating the effects of prenatal cocaine in rhesus monkeys on the offspring. Dr. Lidow has found that prenatal cocaine, in doses that produce blood levels approximately equal to those producing a euphoriant dose in humans, resulted in histological changes in the 2-month-old offspring.

He reported that 20 mg/kg/day (PO) from days 40 to 102 of gestation resulted in significantly altered lamination of the primate cerebral cortex, in some cases completely blending distinction between individual layers. In addition, autoradiographic analysis revealed that [3H]thymidine labeling occurred in cortical white matter as well as layers IV, V, and VI while control animals showed no labeling in the white matter or in layer IV.

These data suggest an inability of cortical cells to reach proper cortical layers. The number of labeled cells was also much lower in the cocaine-treated offspring. Finally, immunocytochemical studies with antisera directed toward glial fibrillary acidic protein showed that prenatal exposure to cocaine had dramatic effects on the glial fibers normally observed in the upper cortical layers.

In many regions, no such fibers were observed.