Researchers of the University of Bologna carried out a study on murine models (mice) demonstrating that pre-natal exposure to nicotine and its by-products produces long-term effects on sleep and stress-response in some areas of the brain. [...] "The results of this study show how sleep in adults might be influcenced by events occurred in the early stages of life," explains Giovanna Zoccoli who coordinated the research and is a professor at the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences of the University of Bologna. "According to our data, control over environmental factors during pregnancy is fundamental not only for women's health but also for the offspring's."