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Nicosia N, Giovenzana M, Misztak P, Mingardi J, Musazzi L. Glutamate-Mediated Excitotoxicity in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Neurodevelopmental and Adult Mental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6521. [PMID: 38928227 PMCID: PMC11203689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain wherein it controls cognitive functional domains and mood. Indeed, brain areas involved in memory formation and consolidation as well as in fear and emotional processing, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, are predominantly glutamatergic. To ensure the physiological activity of the brain, glutamatergic transmission is finely tuned at synaptic sites. Disruption of the mechanisms responsible for glutamate homeostasis may result in the accumulation of excessive glutamate levels, which in turn leads to increased calcium levels, mitochondrial abnormalities, oxidative stress, and eventually cell atrophy and death. This condition is known as glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and is considered as a pathogenic mechanism in several diseases of the central nervous system, including neurodevelopmental, substance abuse, and psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, these disorders share neuroplasticity impairments in glutamatergic brain areas, which are accompanied by structural remodeling of glutamatergic neurons. In the current narrative review, we will summarize the role of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in both the pathophysiology and therapeutic interventions of neurodevelopmental and adult mental diseases with a focus on autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, and psychiatric disorders. Indeed, glutamatergic drugs are under preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of different mental diseases that share glutamatergic neuroplasticity dysfunctions. Although clinical evidence is still limited and more studies are required, the regulation of glutamate homeostasis is attracting attention as a potential crucial target for the control of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Nicosia
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.N.); (M.G.); (P.M.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Mattia Giovenzana
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.N.); (M.G.); (P.M.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paulina Misztak
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.N.); (M.G.); (P.M.)
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.N.); (M.G.); (P.M.)
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.N.); (M.G.); (P.M.)
- Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
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Montemitro C, Angebrandt A, Wang TY, Pettorruso M, Abulseoud OA. Mechanistic insights into the efficacy of memantine in treating certain drug addictions. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110409. [PMID: 34324921 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The deleterious effects of the drug addiction epidemic are compounded by treatment strategies that are only marginally efficacious. Memantine is a unique glutamatergic medication with proven ability to attenuate drug addiction in preclinical models. However, clinical translational studies are inconsistent. In this review, we summarize preclinical evidences and clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of memantine in treating patients with alcohol, opiate, cocaine, and nicotine use disorders and discuss the results from a mechanistic point of view. Memantine has shown efficacy in reducing alcohol and opiate craving, consumption, and withdrawal severity. However, in cocaine and nicotine use disorders, memantine did not have significant effect on cravings or consumption. Additionally, memantine was associated with increased subjective effects of alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine. We discuss possible mechanisms behind this variability. Since memantine transiently blocks NMDA receptors and protects neurons from overstimulation by excessive synaptic glutamate, its efficacy should be observed in drug phases that cause hyperglutamatergic states, while hypoglutamatergic drug use states would not resolve with blocking NMDA receptors. Second, memantine pharmacokinetic studies have been done in rodents and healthy volunteers, but not in patients with substance use disorder. Memantine, opiates, cocaine, and nicotine share the same transporter family at the blood brain barrier. This shared transport mechanism could impact brain concentrations of memantine and its effects. In conclusion, memantine remains an intriguing compound in our pharmacopeia with controversial results in treating certain aspects of drug addiction. Further studies are needed to understand the clinical and biological correlates of its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Montemitro
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Imaging, Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara, Italy.
| | - Alexandra Angebrandt
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tzu-Yun Wang
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neuroscience & Imaging, Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara, Italy
| | - Osama A Abulseoud
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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Hoffman J, Yu J, Kirstein C, Kindy MS. Combined Effects of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Alcohol Drinking on the Neuroinflammatory Cytokine Response and Cognitive Behavioral Outcomes. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10110876. [PMID: 33228251 PMCID: PMC7699568 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between alcohol consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often focuses on alcohol consumption increasing the likelihood of incurring a TBI, rather than alcohol use outcomes after TBI. However, patients without a history of an alcohol use disorder can also show increased problem drinking after single or multiple TBIs. Alcohol and mild TBI share diffuse deleterious neurological impacts and cognitive impairments; therefore, the purpose of these studies was to determine if an interaction on brain and behavior outcomes occurs when alcohol is consumed longitudinally after TBI. To examine the impact of mild repetitive TBI (rmTBI) on voluntary alcohol consumption, mice were subjected to four mild TBI or sham procedures over a 2 week period, then offered alcohol (20% v/v) for 2 weeks using the two-bottle choice, drinking in the dark protocol. Following the drinking period, mice were evaluated for neuroinflammatory cytokine response or tested for cognitive and behavioral deficits. Results indicate no difference in alcohol consumption or preference following rmTBI as compared to sham; however, increases in the neuroinflammatory cytokine response due to alcohol consumption and some mild cognitive behavioral deficits after rmTBI and alcohol consumption were observed. These data suggest that the cytokine response to alcohol drinking and rmTBI + alcohol drinking is not necessarily aggregate, but the combination does result in an exacerbation of cognitive behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (M.S.K.); Tel.: +1-919-843-4389 (J.H.)
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Cheryl Kirstein
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Mark S. Kindy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (M.S.K.); Tel.: +1-919-843-4389 (J.H.)
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Breit KR, Zamudio B, Thomas JD. The effects of alcohol and cannabinoid exposure during the brain growth spurt on behavioral development in rats. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:760-774. [PMID: 30854806 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among pregnant women. Moreover, over half of pregnant women who are consuming cannabis are also consuming alcohol; however, the consequences of combined prenatal alcohol and cannabis exposure on fetal development are not well understood. The current study examined behavioral development following exposure to ethanol (EtOH) and/or CP-55,940 (CP), a cannabinoid receptor agonist. From postnatal days (PD) 4-9, a period of brain development equivalent to the third trimester, Sprague-Dawley rats received EtOH (5.25 g/kg/day) or sham intubation, as well as CP (0.4 mg/kg/day) or vehicle. All subjects were tested on open field activity (PD 18-21), elevated plus maze (PD 25), and spatial learning (PD 40-46) tasks. Both EtOH and CP increased locomotor activity in the open field, and the combination produced more severe overactivity than either exposure alone. Similarly, increases in thigmotaxis in the Morris water maze were caused by either EtOH or CP alone, and were more severe with combined exposure, although only EtOH impaired spatial learning. Finally, developmental CP significantly increased time spent in the open arms on the elevated plus maze. Overall, these data indicate that EtOH and CP produce some independent effects on behavior, and that the combination produces more severe overactivity in the open field. Importantly, these data suggest that prenatal cannabis disrupts development and combined prenatal exposure to alcohol and cannabis may be particularly damaging to the developing fetus, which has implications for the lives of affected individuals and families and also for establishing public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Brandonn Zamudio
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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Wang X, Yu H, You J, Wang C, Feng C, Liu Z, Li Y, Wei R, Xu S, Zhao R, Wu X, Zhang G. Memantine can improve chronic ethanol exposure-induced spatial memory impairment in male C57BL/6 mice by reducing hippocampal apoptosis. Toxicology 2018; 406-407:21-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Use of the parallel beam task for skilled walking in a rat model of cerebral ischemia: A qualitative approach. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Ieraci A, Herrera DG. Nicotinamide Inhibits Ethanol-Induced Caspase-3 and PARP-1 Over-activation and Subsequent Neurodegeneration in the Developing Mouse Cerebellum. THE CEREBELLUM 2018; 17:326-335. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-017-0916-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Wang Z, He X, Fan X. Postnatal administration of memantine rescues TNF-α-induced decreased hippocampal precursor proliferation. Neurosci Lett 2018; 662:173-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Memantine Can Reduce Ethanol-Induced Caspase-3 Activity and Apoptosis in H4 Cells by Decreasing Intracellular Calcium. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 62:402-411. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-017-0948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Low-dose chronic prenatal alcohol exposure abolishes the pro-cognitive effects of angiotensin IV. Behav Brain Res 2017; 329:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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An animal model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Trace conditioning as a window to inform memory deficits and intervention tactics. Physiol Behav 2014; 148:36-44. [PMID: 25477227 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) afford the unique capacity to precisely control timing of alcohol exposure and alcohol exposure amounts in the developing animal. These models have powerfully informed neurophysiological alterations associated with fetal and perinatal alcohol. In two experiments presented here we expand use of the Pavlovian Trace Conditioning procedure to examine cognitive deficits and intervention strategies in a rat model of FASD. Rat pups were exposed to 5g/kg/day ethanol on postnatal days (PD) 4-9, simulating alcohol exposure in the third trimester in humans. During early adolescence, approximately PD 30, the rats were trained in the trace conditioning task in which a light conditioned stimulus (CS) and shock unconditioned stimulus (US) were paired but separated by a 10-s stimulus free trace interval. Learning was assessed in freezing behavior during shock-free tests. Experiment 1 revealed that neonatal ethanol exposure significantly impaired hippocampus-dependent trace conditioning relative to controls. In Experiment 2 a serial compound conditioning procedure known as 'gap filling' completely reversed the ethanol-induced deficit in trace conditioning. We also discuss prior data regarding the beneficial effects of supplemental choline and novel preliminary data regarding the pharmacological cognitive enhancer physostigmine, both of which mitigate the alcohol-induced cognitive deficit otherwise seen in trace conditioning controls. We suggest trace conditioning as a useful tool for characterizing some of the core cognitive deficits seen in FASD, and as a model for developing effective environmental as well as nutritional and pharmacological interventions.
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Idrus NM, McGough NNH, Riley EP, Thomas JD. Administration of memantine during withdrawal mitigates overactivity and spatial learning impairments associated with neonatal alcohol exposure in rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:529-37. [PMID: 24428701 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure can disrupt central nervous system development, manifesting as behavioral deficits that include motor, emotional, and cognitive dysfunction. Both clinical and animal studies have reported binge drinking during development to be highly correlated with an increased risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). We hypothesized that binge drinking may be especially damaging because it is associated with episodes of alcohol withdrawal. Specifically, we have been investigating the possibility that NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity occurs during alcohol withdrawal and contributes to developmental alcohol-related neuropathology. Consistent with this hypothesis, administration of the NMDA receptor antagonists MK-801 or eliprodil during withdrawal attenuates behavioral alterations associated with early alcohol exposure. In this study, we investigated the effects of memantine, a clinically used NMDA receptor antagonist, on minimizing ethanol-induced overactivity and spatial learning deficits. METHODS Sprague-Dawley pups were exposed to 6.0 g/kg ethanol via intubation on postnatal day (PD) 6, a period of brain development that models late gestation in humans. Controls were intubated with a calorically matched maltose solution. During withdrawal, 24 and 36 hours after ethanol exposure, subjects were injected with a total of either 0, 20, or 30 mg/kg memantine. The subjects' locomotor levels were recorded in open field activity monitors on PDs 18 to 21 and on a serial spatial discrimination reversal learning task on PDs 40 to 43. RESULTS Alcohol exposure induced overactivity and impaired performance in spatial learning. Memantine administration significantly attenuated the ethanol-associated behavioral alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, memantine may be neuroprotective when administered during ethanol withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS These data have important implications for the treatment of EtOH's neurotoxic effects and provide further support that ethanol withdrawal significantly contributes to FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirelia M Idrus
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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"Killing Two Birds with One Stone": Alcohol Use Reduction Interventions with Potential Efficacy in Enhancing Self-Control. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2014; 1:41-52. [PMID: 24914414 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-013-0008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We review interventions with empirical support for reducing alcohol use and enhancing self-control. While any intervention that decreases drinking could improve self-control, we focus here on interventions with evidence of direct benefit for both indications. Although no intervention yet shows strong evidence for dual efficacy, multiple interventions have strong evidence for one indication and solid or suggestive evidence for the other. Among pharmacotherapies, opioid antagonists currently have the best evidence for reducing alcohol use and enhancing self-control. Nicotinic partial agonist varenicline also appears to be efficacious for alcohol use and self-control. Many psychosocial and behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, mindfulness training) may have efficacy for both indications based on purported mechanisms of action and empirical evidence. Cognitive bias modification and neurophysiological interventions have promise for alcohol use and self-control as well and warrant further research. We offer several other suggestions for future research directions.
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Idrus NM, Happer JP, Thomas JD. Cholecalciferol attenuates perseverative behavior associated with developmental alcohol exposure in rats in a dose-dependent manner. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 136:146-9. [PMID: 23104117 PMCID: PMC3586753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is a known teratogen that is estimated to affect 2-5% of the births in the U.S. Prenatal alcohol exposure can produce physical features such as facial dysmorphology, physiological alterations such as cell loss in the central nervous system (CNS), and behavioral changes that include hyperactivity, cognitive deficits, and motor dysfunction. The range of effects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure is referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Despite preventative measures, some women continue to drink while pregnant. Therefore, identifying interventions that reduce the severity of FASD is critical. This study investigated one such potential intervention, vitamin D3, a nutrient that exerts neuroprotective properties. The present study determined whether cholecalciferol, a common vitamin D3 nutritional supplement, could serve as a means of mitigating alcohol-related learning deficits. Using a rat model of FASD, cholecalciferol was given before, during, and after 3rd trimester equivalent alcohol exposure. Three weeks after cholecalciferol treatment, subjects were tested on a serial spatial discrimination reversal learning task. Animals exposed to ethanol committed significantly more errors compared to controls. Cholecalciferol treatment reduced perseverative behavior that is associated with developmental alcohol exposure in a dose-dependent manner. These data have important implications for the treatment of FASD and suggest that cholecalciferol may reduce some aspects of FASD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Idrus
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Dept. Psychology, San Diego State University, 6330 Alvarado Court, Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
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