[Ultrastructural characteristics of embryonic brain cells in the offspring of alcoholic mothers].

Electron microscopy of brain cells was performed in 20 human embryos at 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. Of these, 13 were delivered at medical abortions from healthy women, and 7 from women with 2nd stage alcoholism. In both groups the electron-dense structures were shown in the perinuclear space of neuro- and glioblasts. In embryos taken from alcoholic mothers, these cells displayed the changes in plasma and mitochondrial membranes structure with appearing inclusions and enhanced development of several organels. The data on ultrastructural changes in alcoholic brain embryonic cells are compared to those in other maternal mental disorders.