Researchers investigated the impact of prenatal nicotine exposure (via e-cigarette aerosol inhalation) on the synaptic development of the prefrontal cortex in offspring. Pregnant mice were exposed to daily sessions of vaporised nicotine aerosol (containing 18 mg/mL nicotine) throughout their entire gestation period. The control group of pregnant mice was exposed to plain saline aerosol under identical laboratory conditions.
At 45 days of age, the offspring underwent cognitive testing (a spatial reversal learning task to assess executive function) and their brains were subsequently analysed. Offspring exposed prenatally to nicotine showed a 25% reduction in dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex and made significantly more perseverative errors on the cognitive task compared to the control group. There were no differences in physical development or body weight between the two groups.
Justify whether the use of animals in this study was appropriate.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Issues and debates with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 147 questions covering Issues and debates, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
