Large image view: Tadpoles used in SIDS research at UAF
These data indicate that exposure to alcohol or nicotine during development prevents tadpoles from responding appropriately to increases in carbon dioxide or decreases in oxygen. Tadpoles with no toxin exposure increased their breathing in response to these challenges, but toxin-exposed tadpoles did not. SIDS is caused by a similar failure to respond to breathing challenges. Taylor hopes to use the tadpole model to determine the mechanism behind such failures.