Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure can cause alterations to the developing brain. The resulting neurobehavioral deficits seen
following this exposure are wide-ranging and potentially devastating and, therefore, are of significant concern to individuals,
families, communities, and society. These effects occur on a continuum, and qualitatively similar neuropsychological and behavioral
features are seen across the spectrum of effect. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) has been used to emphasize
the continuous nature of the outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure, with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) representing one point
on the spectrum. This paper will provide a comprehensive review of the neuropsychological and behavioral effects of heavy
prenatal alcohol exposure, including a discussion of the emerging neurobehavioral profile. Supporting studies of lower levels
of exposure, brain-behavior associations, and animal model systems will be included when appropriate.
Key Words Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) – Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) – Neuropsychological outcome – Behavior – Neurobehavioral profile – Behavioral teratology