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Wei Y, Wang W, Kang Y, Niu X, Zhang Z, Li S, Han S, Cheng J, Zhang Y. Global, interhemispheric and intrahemispheric functional connection patterns in male adults with alcohol use disorder. Addict Biol 2024; 29:e13398. [PMID: 38899438 PMCID: PMC11187543 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13398] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates the existence of abnormal local and long-range functional connection patterns in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, it has yet to be established whether AUD is associated with abnormal interhemispheric and intrahemispheric functional connection patterns. In the present study, we analysed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 55 individuals with AUD and 32 healthy nonalcohol users. For each subject, whole-brain functional connectivity density (FCD) was decomposed into ipsilateral and contralateral parts. Correlation analysis was performed between abnormal FCD and a range of clinical measurements in the AUD group. Compared with healthy controls, the AUD group exhibited a reduced global FCD in the anterior and middle cingulate gyri, prefrontal cortex and thalamus, along with an enhanced global FCD in the temporal, parietal and occipital cortices. Abnormal interhemispheric and intrahemispheric FCD patterns were also detected in the AUD group. Furthermore, abnormal global, contralateral and ipsilateral FCD data were correlated with the mean amount of pure alcohol and the severity of alcohol addiction in the AUD group. Collectively, our findings indicate that global, interhemispheric and intrahemispheric FCD may represent a robust method to detect abnormal functional connection patterns in AUD; this may help us to identify the neural substrates and therapeutic targets of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarui Wei
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Weijian Wang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yimeng Kang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiaoyu Niu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zanxia Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Shujian Li
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Shaoqiang Han
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
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Long M, Kar P, Forkert ND, Landman BA, Gibbard WB, Tortorelli C, McMorris CA, Huo Y, Lebel CA. Sex and age effects on gray matter volume trajectories in young children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1379959. [PMID: 38660010 PMCID: PMC11039858 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1379959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) occurs in ~11% of North American pregnancies and is the most common known cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD; ~2-5% prevalence). PAE has been consistently associated with smaller gray matter volumes in children, adolescents, and adults. A small number of longitudinal studies show altered gray matter development trajectories in late childhood/early adolescence, but patterns in early childhood and potential sex differences have not been characterized in young children. Using longitudinal T1-weighted MRI, the present study characterized gray matter volume development in young children with PAE (N = 42, 84 scans, ages 3-8 years) compared to unexposed children (N = 127, 450 scans, ages 2-8.5 years). Overall, we observed altered global and regional gray matter development trajectories in the PAE group, wherein they had attenuated age-related increases and more volume decreases relative to unexposed children. Moreover, we found more pronounced sex differences in children with PAE; females with PAE having the smallest gray matter volumes and the least age-related changes of all groups. This pattern of altered development may indicate reduced brain plasticity and/or accelerated maturation and may underlie the cognitive/behavioral difficulties often experienced by children with PAE. In conjunction with previous research on older children, adolescents, and adults with PAE, our results suggest that gray matter volume differences associated with PAE vary by age and may become more apparent in older children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Long
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Preeti Kar
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nils D. Forkert
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bennett A. Landman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - W. Ben Gibbard
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christina Tortorelli
- Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carly A. McMorris
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Yuankai Huo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Catherine A. Lebel
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Thompson DK, Kelly CE, Dhollander T, Muggli E, Hearps S, Lewis S, Nguyen TNN, Spittle A, Elliott EJ, Penington A, Halliday J, Anderson PJ. Associations between low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and brain development in childhood. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 42:103595. [PMID: 38555806 PMCID: PMC10998198 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on brain development have been infrequently studied. AIM To compare cortical and white matter structure between children aged 6 to 8 years with low-moderate PAE in trimester 1 only, low-moderate PAE throughout gestation, or no PAE. METHODS Women reported quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging was undertaken for 143 children aged 6 to 8 years with PAE during trimester 1 only (n = 44), PAE throughout gestation (n = 58), and no PAE (n = 41). T1-weighted images were processed using FreeSurfer, obtaining brain volume, area, and thickness of 34 cortical regions per hemisphere. Fibre density (FD), fibre cross-section (FC) and fibre density and cross-section (FDC) metrics were computed for diffusion images. Brain measures were compared between PAE groups adjusted for age and sex, then additionally for intracranial volume. RESULTS After adjustments, the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex volume (pFDR = 0.045) and area (pFDR = 0.008), and right cingulum tract cross-sectional area (pFWE < 0.05) were smaller in children exposed to alcohol throughout gestation compared with no PAE. CONCLUSION This study reports a relationship between low-moderate PAE throughout gestation and cingulate cortex and cingulum tract alterations, suggesting a teratogenic vulnerability. Further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanne K Thompson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire E Kelly
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thijs Dhollander
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Evelyne Muggli
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Hearps
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sharon Lewis
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alicia Spittle
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- The University of Sydney, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Kids Research, Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony Penington
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane Halliday
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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Leung ECH, Jain P, Michealson MA, Choi H, Ellsworth-Kopkowski A, Valenzuela CF. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the cerebellum's role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Alcohol 2023; 119:37-71. [PMID: 38097146 PMCID: PMC11166889 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to alcohol during fetal development can lead to structural and functional abnormalities in the cerebellum, a brain region responsible for motor coordination, balance, and specific cognitive functions. In this systematic review, we comprehensively analyze a vast body of research conducted on vertebrate animals and humans over the past 13 years. We identified studies through PubMed and screened them following PRISMA guidelines. Data extraction and quality analysis were conducted using Covidence systematic review software. A total of 108 studies met our inclusion criteria, with the majority (79 studies) involving vertebrate animal models and 29 studies focusing on human subjects. Animal models included zebrafish, mice, rats, sheep, and non-human primates, investigating the impact of ethanol on cerebellar structure, gene/protein expression, physiology, and cerebellar-dependent behaviors. Additionally, some animal studies explored potential therapeutic interventions against ethanol-induced cerebellar damage. The human studies predominantly adopted cohort designs, exploring the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on cerebellar structure and function. Certain human studies delved into innovative cerebellar-based diagnostic approaches for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The collective findings from these studies clearly indicate that the cerebellum is involved in various neurophysiological deficits associated with FASD, emphasizing the importance of evaluating both cerebellar structure and function in the diagnostic process for this condition. Moreover, this review sheds light into potential therapeutic strategies that can mitigate prenatal alcohol exposure-induced cerebellar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C H Leung
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States
| | - Priyanka Jain
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States
| | - Marisa A Michealson
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States
| | - Hyesun Choi
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States
| | - Alexis Ellsworth-Kopkowski
- Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States
| | - C Fernando Valenzuela
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States.
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Fraize J, Leprince Y, Elmaleh-Bergès M, Kerdreux E, Delorme R, Hertz-Pannier L, Lefèvre J, Germanaud D. Spectral-based thickness profiling of the corpus callosum enhances anomaly detection in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1289013. [PMID: 38027471 PMCID: PMC10657855 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1289013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) range from fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) to non-syndromic forms (NS-FASD). The neuroanatomical consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure are mainly the reduction in brain size, but also focal abnormalities such as those of the corpus callosum (CC). We previously showed a narrowing of the CC for brain size, using manual measurement and its usefulness to improve diagnostic certainty. Our aim was to automate these measurements of the CC and identify more recurrent abnormalities in FAS subjects, independently of brain size reduction. Methods We developed a fast, automated, and normalization-free method based on spectral analysis to generate thicknesses of the CC continuously and at singular points (genu, body, isthmus, and splenium), and its length (LCC). We applied it on midsagittal section of the CC extracted from T1-anatomical brain MRI of 89 subjects with FASD (52 FAS, 37 NS-FASD) and 126 with typically development (6-20 y-o). After adjusting for batch effect, we compared the mean profiles and thicknesses of the singular points across the 3 groups. For each parameter, we established variations with age (growth charts) and brain size in the control group (scaling charts), then identified participants with abnormal measurements (<10th percentile). Results We confirmed the slimming of the posterior half of the CC in both FASD groups, and of the genu section in the FAS group, compared to the control group. We found a significant group effect for the LCC, genu, median body, isthmus, and splenium thicknesses (p < 0.05). We described a body hump whose morphology did not differ between groups. According to the growth charts, there was an excess of FASD subjects with abnormal LCC and isthmus, and of FAS subjects with abnormal genu and splenium. According to the scaling charts, this excess remained only for LCC, isthmus and splenium, undersized for brain size. Conclusion We characterized size-independent anomalies of the posterior part of the CC in FASD, with an automated method, confirming and extending our previous study. Our new tool brings the use of a neuroanatomical criterion including CC damage closer to clinical practice. Our results suggest that an FAS signature identified in NS-FASD, could improve diagnosis specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Fraize
- UNIACT, NeuroSpin, Frederic Joliot Institute, Centre d’études de Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- InDEV, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Yann Leprince
- UNIACT, NeuroSpin, Frederic Joliot Institute, Centre d’études de Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Monique Elmaleh-Bergès
- Department of Pediatric Radiologic, Robert-Debré Hospital, AP-HP, Centre of Excellence InovAND, Paris, France
| | - Eliot Kerdreux
- UNIACT, NeuroSpin, Frederic Joliot Institute, Centre d’études de Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- InDEV, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Richard Delorme
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert-Debré Hospital, AP-HP, Centre of Excellence InovAND, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Hertz-Pannier
- UNIACT, NeuroSpin, Frederic Joliot Institute, Centre d’études de Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- InDEV, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Julien Lefèvre
- Institut de Neurosciences de La Timone, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - David Germanaud
- UNIACT, NeuroSpin, Frederic Joliot Institute, Centre d’études de Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- InDEV, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Genetics, Robert-Debré Hospital, AP-HP, Centre de Référence Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, Centre of Excellence InovAND, Paris, France
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Melder A, Wittmann E, Bulubas L, Dornheim B, Kerber K, Vogelmann U, Campana M, Hubert J, Schmidt V, Heinen F, Padberg F, Landgraf MN. Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a feasible, non-invasive, neuromodulatory intervention in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A very first proof of concept. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 47:131-142. [PMID: 37913649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A neurobiological feature of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a global decrease in neuronal connectivity, which leads to significant impairments in everyday functionality. Non-invasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could potentially positively influence neuronal plasticity but has not yet been studied in FASD. The present trial addresses this gap, making it the first-ever study of rTMS in FASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The prospective clinical trial was conducted at the LMU University Hospital Munich and enrolled eight FASD participants aged 6-16. Six sessions of 1 Hz-rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were administered two times a week for three weeks consisting of 1500 pulses at 90 % of resting motor threshold in four trains of 375s. Outcome measures investigated feasibility and treatment response of rTMS on executive functions, attention/impulsivity, social-emotional regulation and quality of life (QoL) via standardized tests and the FASD parents' app. RESULTS Adherence and retention rate were 100 %. Adverse events (AEs) were mild and self-limiting, resulting in a per-session risk of 53.3 %, with local paraesthesia accounting for 54.2 % of the AEs. There were individual relevant but no significant group-level improvements in the investigated functional cerebral domains or participants' QoL. The FASD parents' app showed no significant change in participants' daily functioning or caregivers' QoL. Caregivers' parental stress decreased significantly. CONCLUSION FASD is a very complex disorder that is difficult to treat. In addition, comorbidities as atypical responses to pharmacotherapies are frequent. For this reason, non-invasive, innovative therapies for children with FASD have to be developed. For the first time, rTMS was shown to be safe, tolerable, and acceptable and thus well feasible in paediatric patients with FASD. Further clinical studies with larger samples are needed to identify effective stimulation protocols and to evaluate treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Melder
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Wittmann
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Lucia Bulubas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Munich-Augsburg (CNBS(MA)), Germany
| | - Beate Dornheim
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Munich-Augsburg (CNBS(MA)), Germany
| | - Katharina Kerber
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Vogelmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Munich-Augsburg (CNBS(MA)), Germany
| | - Mattia Campana
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Munich-Augsburg (CNBS(MA)), Germany
| | - Jasmin Hubert
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Vivien Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Heinen
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Munich-Augsburg (CNBS(MA)), Germany
| | - Mirjam N Landgraf
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, German FASD Competence Center Bavaria, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
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Boateng T, Beauchamp K, Torres F, Ruffaner-Hanson CD, Pinner JFL, Vakamudi K, Cerros C, Hill DE, Stephen JM. Brain structural differences in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and its subtypes. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1152038. [PMID: 37621716 PMCID: PMC10445146 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1152038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been examined in animal models and humans. The current study extends the prior literature by quantifying differences in brain structure for individuals with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) compared to typically developing controls, as well as examining FASD subtypes. We hypothesized the FASD group would reveal smaller brain volume, reduced cortical thickness, and reduced surface area compared to controls, with the partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS)/fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) subtypes showing the largest effects and the PAE/alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) subtype revealing intermediate effects. Methods The sample consisted of 123 children and adolescents recruited from a single site including children with a diagnosis of FASD/PAE (26 males, 29 females) and controls (34 males, 34 females). Structural T1-weighted MRI scans were obtained on a 3T Trio TIM scanner and FreeSurfer v7.2 was used to quantify brain volume, cortical thickness, and surface area. Analyses examined effects by subgroup: pFAS/FAS (N = 32, Mage = 10.7 years, SEage = 0.79), PAE/ARND (N = 23, Mage = 10.8, SEage = 0.94), and controls (N = 68, Mage = 11.1, SEage = 0.54). Results Total brain volume in children with an FASD was smaller relative to controls, but subtype analysis revealed only the pFAS/FAS group differed significantly from controls. Regional analyses similarly revealed reduced brain volume in frontal and temporal regions for children with pFAS/FAS, yet children diagnosed with PAE/ARND generally had similar volumes as controls. Notable differences to this pattern occurred in the cerebellum, caudate, and pallidum where children with pFAS/FAS and PAE/ARND revealed lower volume relative to controls. In the subset of participants who had neuropsychological testing, correlations between volume and IQ scores were observed. Goodness-of-Fit analysis by age revealed differences in developmental patterns (linear vs. quadratic) between groups in some cases. Discussion This study confirmed prior results indicating decreased brain volume in children with an FASD and extended the results by demonstrating differential effects by structure for FASD subtypes. It provides further evidence for a complex role of PAE in structural brain development that is likely related to the cognitive and behavioral effects experienced by children with an FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresah Boateng
- Department of Special Education, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kathryn Beauchamp
- College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- The Mind Research Network, Division of the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Faerl Torres
- The Mind Research Network, Division of the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Chaselyn D. Ruffaner-Hanson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - John F. L. Pinner
- The Mind Research Network, Division of the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kishore Vakamudi
- The Mind Research Network, Division of the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Cassandra Cerros
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Dina E. Hill
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Julia M. Stephen
- The Mind Research Network, Division of the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Roe JM, Vidal-Pineiro D, Amlien IK, Pan M, Sneve MH, Thiebaut de Schotten M, Friedrich P, Sha Z, Francks C, Eilertsen EM, Wang Y, Walhovd KB, Fjell AM, Westerhausen R. Tracing the development and lifespan change of population-level structural asymmetry in the cerebral cortex. eLife 2023; 12:e84685. [PMID: 37335613 PMCID: PMC10368427 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortical asymmetry is a ubiquitous feature of brain organization that is subtly altered in some neurodevelopmental disorders, yet we lack knowledge of how its development proceeds across life in health. Achieving consensus on the precise cortical asymmetries in humans is necessary to uncover the developmental timing of asymmetry and the extent to which it arises through genetic and later influences in childhood. Here, we delineate population-level asymmetry in cortical thickness and surface area vertex-wise in seven datasets and chart asymmetry trajectories longitudinally across life (4-89 years; observations = 3937; 70% longitudinal). We find replicable asymmetry interrelationships, heritability maps, and test asymmetry associations in large-scale data. Cortical asymmetry was robust across datasets. Whereas areal asymmetry is predominantly stable across life, thickness asymmetry grows in childhood and peaks in early adulthood. Areal asymmetry is low-moderately heritable (max h2SNP ~19%) and correlates phenotypically and genetically in specific regions, indicating coordinated development of asymmetries partly through genes. In contrast, thickness asymmetry is globally interrelated across the cortex in a pattern suggesting highly left-lateralized individuals tend towards left-lateralization also in population-level right-asymmetric regions (and vice versa), and exhibits low or absent heritability. We find less areal asymmetry in the most consistently lateralized region in humans associates with subtly lower cognitive ability, and confirm small handedness and sex effects. Results suggest areal asymmetry is developmentally stable and arises early in life through genetic but mainly subject-specific stochastic effects, whereas childhood developmental growth shapes thickness asymmetry and may lead to directional variability of global thickness lateralization in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Roe
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Didac Vidal-Pineiro
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Inge K Amlien
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Mengyu Pan
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Markus H Sneve
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Michel Thiebaut de Schotten
- Groupe d'Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives-UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA, University of BordeauxBordeauxFrance
- Brian Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne UniversityParisFrance
| | - Patrick Friedrich
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
| | - Zhiqiang Sha
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Clyde Francks
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenNetherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud UniversityNijmegenNetherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Espen M Eilertsen
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Kristine B Walhovd
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Anders M Fjell
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - René Westerhausen
- Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of OsloOsloNorway
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9
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Fraize J, Fischer C, Elmaleh-Bergès M, Kerdreux E, Beggiato A, Ntorkou A, Duchesnay E, Bekha D, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Delorme R, Hertz-Pannier L, Germanaud D. Enhancing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders diagnosis with a classifier based on the intracerebellar gradient of volumetric undersizing. Hum Brain Mapp 2023. [PMID: 37209313 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), brain growth deficiency is a hallmark of subjects both with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and with non-syndromic FASD (NS-FASD, i.e., those without specific diagnostic features). However, although the cerebellum was suggested to be more severely undersized than the rest of the brain, it has not yet been given a specific place in the FASD diagnostic criteria where neuroanatomical features still count for little if anything in diagnostic specificity. We applied a combination of cerebellar segmentation tools on a 1.5 T 3DT1 brain MRI dataset from a monocentric population of 89 FASD (52 FAS, 37 NS-FASD) and 126 typically developing controls (6-20 years old), providing 8 volumes: cerebellum, vermis and 3 lobes (anterior, posterior, inferior), plus total brain volume. After adjustment of confounders, the allometric scaling relationship between these cerebellar volumes (Vi ) and the total brain or cerebellum volume (Vt ) was fitted (Vi = bVt a ), and the effect of group (FAS, control) on allometric scaling was evaluated. We then estimated for each cerebellar volume in the FAS population the deviation from the typical scaling (v DTS) learned in the controls. Lastly, we trained and tested two classifiers to discriminate FAS from controls, one based on the total cerebellum v DTS only, the other based on all the cerebellar v DTS, comparing their performance both in the FAS and the NS-FASD group. Allometric scaling was significantly different between FAS and control group for all the cerebellar volumes (p < .001). We confirmed the excess of total cerebellum volume deficit (v DTS = -10.6%) and revealed an antero-inferior-posterior gradient of volumetric undersizing in the hemispheres (-12.4%, 1.1%, 2.0%, repectively) and the vermis (-16.7%, -9.2%, -8.6%, repectively). The classifier based on the intracerebellar gradient of v DTS performed more efficiently than the one based on total cerebellum v DTS only (AUC = 92% vs. 82%, p = .001). Setting a high probability threshold for >95% specificity of the classifiers, the gradient-based classifier identified 35% of the NS-FASD to have a FAS cerebellar phenotype, compared to 11% with the cerebellum-only classifier (pFISHER = 0.027). In a large series of FASD, this study details the volumetric undersizing within the cerebellum at the lobar and vermian level using allometric scaling, revealing an anterior-inferior-posterior gradient of vulnerability to prenatal alcohol exposure. It also strongly suggests that this intracerebellar gradient of volumetric undersizing may be a reliable neuroanatomical signature of FAS that could be used to improve the specificity of the diagnosis of NS-FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Fraize
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
| | - Clara Fischer
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, BAOBAB, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Monique Elmaleh-Bergès
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Centre of Excellence InovAND, AP-HP, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Eliot Kerdreux
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
| | - Anita Beggiato
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Excellence InovAND, AP-HP, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Ntorkou
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Centre of Excellence InovAND, AP-HP, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Edouard Duchesnay
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, BAOBAB, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Dhaif Bekha
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
| | | | - Richard Delorme
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Excellence InovAND, AP-HP, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Hertz-Pannier
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
| | - David Germanaud
- CEA Paris-Saclay, Joliot Institute, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Centre d'études de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, U1141 NeuroDiderot, inDEV, Paris, France
- Department of Genetics, Centre of Excellence InovAND, AP-HP, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
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10
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Boots A, Wiegersma AM, Vali Y, van den Hof M, Langendam MW, Limpens J, Backhouse EV, Shenkin SD, Wardlaw JM, Roseboom TJ, de Rooij SR. Shaping the risk for late-life neurodegenerative disease: A systematic review on prenatal risk factors for Alzheimer's disease-related volumetric brain biomarkers. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 146:105019. [PMID: 36608918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposures including toxins and nutrition may hamper the developing brain in utero, limiting the brain's reserve capacity and increasing the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize all currently available evidence for the association between prenatal exposures and AD-related volumetric brain biomarkers. We systematically searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies in humans reporting on associations between prenatal exposure(s) and AD-related volumetric brain biomarkers, including whole brain volume (WBV), hippocampal volume (HV) and/or temporal lobe volume (TLV) measured with structural magnetic resonance imaging (PROSPERO; CRD42020169317). Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. We identified 79 eligible studies (search date: August 30th, 2020; Ntotal=24,784; median age 10.7 years) reporting on WBV (N = 38), HV (N = 63) and/or TLV (N = 5) in exposure categories alcohol (N = 30), smoking (N = 7), illicit drugs (N = 14), mental health problems (N = 7), diet (N = 8), disease, treatment and physiology (N = 10), infections (N = 6) and environmental exposures (N = 3). Overall risk of bias was low. Prenatal exposure to alcohol, opioids, cocaine, nutrient shortage, placental dysfunction and maternal anemia was associated with smaller brain volumes. We conclude that the prenatal environment is important in shaping the risk for late-life neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Boots
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Aging and later life, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - A M Wiegersma
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Aging and later life, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Y Vali
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Methodology, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M van den Hof
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M W Langendam
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Methodology, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Limpens
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Library, Meibergdreef 9, the Netherlands
| | - E V Backhouse
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S D Shenkin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Ageing and Health Research Group and Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UX, UK
| | - J M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - T J Roseboom
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Aging and later life, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S R de Rooij
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Aging and later life, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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11
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Meombe Mbolle A, Thapa S, Bukiya AN, Jiang H. High-resolution imaging in studies of alcohol effect on prenatal development. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:10790. [PMID: 37593366 PMCID: PMC10433240 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.10790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome represents the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation. FAS is on the most severe side of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders that stem from the deleterious effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Affecting as many as 1 to 5 out of 100 children, FASD most often results in brain abnormalities that extend to structure, function, and cerebral hemodynamics. The present review provides an analysis of high-resolution imaging techniques that are used in animals and human subjects to characterize PAE-driven changes in the developing brain. Variants of magnetic resonance imaging such as magnetic resonance microscopy, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, along with positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and photoacoustic imaging, are modalities that are used to study the influence of PAE on brain structure and function. This review briefly describes the aforementioned imaging modalities, the main findings that were obtained using each modality, and touches upon the advantages/disadvantages of each imaging approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Meombe Mbolle
- Department Medical Engineering, College of Engineering and Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Shiwani Thapa
- Department Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Anna N. Bukiya
- Department Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Huabei Jiang
- Department Medical Engineering, College of Engineering and Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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12
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Popova S, Dozet D, Pandya E, Sanches M, Brower K, Segura L, Ondersma SJ. Effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions for pregnant women: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:61. [PMID: 36694121 PMCID: PMC9872314 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05344-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in a range of adverse neonatal outcomes, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to investigate the effectiveness of brief interventions (BIs) in eliminating or reducing 1) alcohol consumption during pregnancy; and 2) PAE-related adverse neonatal outcomes; and 3) cost-effectiveness of BIs. METHOD We conducted a systematic literature search for original controlled studies (randomized control trials (RCTs); quasi-experimental) in any setting, published from 1987 to 2021. The comparison group was no/minimal intervention, where a measure of alcohol consumption was reported. Studies were critically appraised using the Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Oxford critical appraisal tool for RCTs (1). The certainty in the evidence for each outcome was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) (2). Meta-analysis of continuous and binary estimates of effect-size for similar outcome measures for BIs versus control groups were pooled and reported as mean difference (MD) Hedges' g and odds ratios (ORs), respectively. RESULTS In total, 26 studies, all from high income countries, met inclusion criteria. Alcohol abstinence outcome available in 12 studies (n = 2620) found modest effects in favor of BIs conditions by increasing the odds of abstinence by 56% (OR = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-2.13, I2 = 46.75%; p = 0.04). BIs effects for reduction in mean drinks/week (Cohen's d = - 0.21, 95%CI = - 0.78 to 0.36; p = 0.08) and AUDIT scores (g = 0.10, 95%CI = - 0.06 to 0.26; p = 0.17) were not statistically significant. Among seven studies (n = 740) reporting neonatal outcomes, BI receipt was associated with a modest and significant reduction in preterm birth (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.46-0.98, I2 = 0.00%; p = 0.58). No statistically significant differences were observed for mean birthweight or lower likelihood of low birth weight (LBW). Certainty in the evidence was rated as 'low'. No eligible studies were found on cost-effectiveness of BIs. CONCLUSION BIs are moderately effective in increasing abstinence during pregnancy and preventing preterm birth. More studies on the effectiveness of BIs are needed from low- and middle-income countries, as well as with younger mothers and with a broader range of ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Popova
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1 Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4 Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Danijela Dozet
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1 Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Ekta Pandya
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1 Canada
| | - Marcos Sanches
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Biostatistics Core, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1 Canada
| | - Krista Brower
- Edmonton Oliver Primary Care Network, 130, 11910-111 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta Canada ,grid.9835.70000 0000 8190 6402Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW UK
| | - Lidia Segura
- grid.500777.2Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, C.Roc Boronat 81 – 95, 08005 Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | - Steven J. Ondersma
- grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
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13
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Subramoney S, Joshi SH, Wedderburn CJ, Lee D, Roos A, Woods RP, Zar HJ, Narr K, Stein DJ, Donald KA. The impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on gray matter volume and cortical surface area of 2 to 3-year-old children in a South African birth cohort. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1233-1247. [PMID: 35581528 PMCID: PMC9357164 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing literature that demonstrates the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on brain development in school-aged children. Less is known, however, on how PAE impacts the brain early in life. We investigated the effects of PAE and child sex on subcortical gray matter volume, cortical surface area (CSA), cortical volume (CV), and cortical thickness (CT) in children aged 2 to 3 years. METHODS The sample was recruited as a nested cross-sectional substudy of the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Images from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were acquired on 47 alcohol-exposed and 124 control children (i.e., with no or minimal alcohol exposure), aged 2 to 3 years, some of whom were scanned as neonates. Brain images were processed through automated processing pipelines using FreeSurfer version 6.0. Subcortical and a priori selected cortical regions of interest were compared. RESULTS Subcortical volume analyses revealed a PAE by child sex interaction for bilateral putamen volumes (Left: p = 0.02; Right: p = 0.01). There was no PAE by child sex interaction effect on CSA, CV, and CT. Analyses revealed an impact of PAE on CSA (p = 0.04) and CV (p = 0.04), but not CT in this age group. Of note, the inferior parietal gyrus CSA was significantly smaller in children with PAE compared to control children. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this subgroup scanned at age 2 to 3 years build on previously described subcortical volume differences in neonates from this cohort. Findings suggest that PAE persistently affects gray matter development through the critical early years of life. The detectable influence of PAE on brain structure at this early age further highlights the importance of brain imaging studies on the impact of PAE on the young developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Clinical ResearchLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - David Lee
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of PsychiatryStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
| | - Roger P. Woods
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dan J. Stein
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental DisordersUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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14
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Prenatal and Postnatal Choline Supplementation in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030688. [PMID: 35277047 PMCID: PMC8837993 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is common and represents a significant public health burden, yet very few interventions have been tested in FASD. Cognitive deficits are core features of FASD, ranging from broad intellectual impairment to selective problems in attention, executive functioning, memory, visual–perceptual/motor skills, social cognition, and academics. One potential intervention for the cognitive impairments associated with FASD is the essential nutrient choline, which is known to have numerous direct effects on brain and cognition in both typical and atypical development. We provide a summary of the literature supporting the use of choline as a neurodevelopmental intervention in those affected by prenatal alcohol. We first discuss how alcohol interferes with normal brain development. We then provide a comprehensive overview of the nutrient choline and discuss its role in typical brain development and its application in the optimization of brain development following early insult. Next, we review the preclinical literature that provides evidence of choline’s potential as an intervention following alcohol exposure. Then, we review a handful of existing human studies of choline supplementation in FASD. Lastly, we conclude with a review of practical considerations in choline supplementation, including dose, formulation, and feasibility in children.
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15
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Moore EM, Xia Y. Neurodevelopmental Trajectories Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:695855. [PMID: 35058760 PMCID: PMC8763806 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.695855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) interferes with neurodevelopment. The brain is particularly susceptible to the adverse consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure, and numerous studies have documented changes to brain anatomy and function, as well as consequences for cognition, behavior, and mental health. Studies in typically developing individuals have shown that the brain undergoes dynamic developmental processes over an individual’s lifespan. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders have shown that their developmental trajectories differ from the typical pattern. Therefore, to understand long-term clinical outcomes of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), it is necessary to investigate changes in neurodevelopmental trajectories in this population. Here we review studies that have used MRI to evaluate changes in brain structure and function over time via cross-sectional or longitudinal methods in individuals with PAE. Research demonstrates that individuals with PAE have atypical cortical and white matter microstructural developmental trajectories through childhood and adolescence. More research is needed to understand how factors such as sex and postnatal experiences may further mediate these trajectories. Furthermore, nothing is known about the trajectories beyond young adulthood.
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16
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Licheri V, Brigman JL. Altering Cell-Cell Interaction in Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Models: Insight on Cell-Adhesion Molecules During Brain Development. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:753537. [PMID: 34975396 PMCID: PMC8715949 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.753537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol exposure during pregnancy disrupts the development of the brain and produces long lasting behavioral and cognitive impairments collectively known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). FASDs are characterized by alterations in learning, working memory, social behavior and executive function. A large body of literature using preclinical prenatal alcohol exposure models reports alcohol-induced changes in architecture and activity in specific brain regions affecting cognition. While multiple putative mechanisms of alcohol’s long-lasting effects on morphology and behavior have been investigated, an area that has received less attention is the effect of alcohol on cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). The embryo/fetal development represents a crucial period for Central Nervous System (CNS) development during which the cell-cell interaction plays an important role. CAMs play a critical role in neuronal migration and differentiation, synaptic organization and function which may be disrupted by alcohol. In this review, we summarize the physiological structure and role of CAMs involved in brain development, review the current literature on prenatal alcohol exposure effects on CAM function in different experimental models and pinpoint areas needed for future study to better understand how CAMs may mediate the morphological, sensory and behavioral outcomes in FASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Licheri
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Jonathan L Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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17
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Popova S, Dozet D, Shield K, Rehm J, Burd L. Alcohol's Impact on the Fetus. Nutrients 2021; 13:3452. [PMID: 34684453 PMCID: PMC8541151 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol is a teratogen and prenatal exposure may adversely impact the developing fetus, increasing risk for negative outcomes, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Global trends of increasing alcohol use among women of childbearing age due to economic development, changing gender roles, increased availability of alcohol, peer pressure and social acceptability of women's alcohol use may put an increasing number of pregnancies at risk for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This risk has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in some countries. METHOD This literature review presents an overview on the epidemiology of alcohol use among childbearing age and pregnant women and FASD by World Health Organization regions; impact of PAE on fetal health, including FASD; associated comorbidities; and social outcomes. RESULTS/CONCLUSION The impact of alcohol on fetal health and social outcomes later in life is enormous, placing a huge economic burden on countries. Prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and early identification of affected individuals should be a global public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Popova
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Danijela Dozet
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kevin Shield
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Street 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya Street, 8, b. 2, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Larry Burd
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 N Columbia Rd., Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA;
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Lebel CA, Gibbard WB, Tortorelli C, Pei J, Beaulieu C, Bagshawe M, McMorris CA. Prenatal Exposure And Child brain and mental Health (PEACH) study: protocol for a cohort study of children and youth with prenatal alcohol exposure. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051660. [PMID: 33980537 PMCID: PMC8118071 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), affects an estimated 4% of North Americans, and is the most common preventable cause of intellectual disability. Mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, are experienced by nearly all individuals with FASD. However, there is very limited knowledge about effective mental health treatments for individuals with FASD; effective treatments are hindered in part due to a lack of understanding of the basic neurobiology underlying internalising disorders in youth with FASD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The Prenatal Exposure And Child brain and mental Health (PEACH) study includes children aged 7-18 years. We will use longitudinal neuroimaging (anatomical T1-weighted, diffusion and passive viewing function MRI) and mental health assessments (Behaviour Assessment Scale for Children, Multi-dimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI-2), Kiddie Scale of Affective Disorders) to: (1) characterise brain development trajectories in youth with FASD, (2) determine whether brain alterations mediate increased anxiety and depression in youth with FASD and (3) identify baseline brain features that predict changes of anxiety and depression symptoms over the next 2 years. All of this will be done while considering sex and adverse postnatal experiences, which can significantly impact mental health and brain outcomes. This project will forge new understanding of FASD and mental health from a neurobiological perspective, highlighting key time periods (ie, sensitive windows) and brain regions (ie, that may be susceptible to neurostimulation), while identifying factors that predict individual trajectories of anxiety and depression symptoms. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board and the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board. Study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at relevant conferences and in conjunction with our knowledge mobilisation partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Lebel
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - W Ben Gibbard
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Jacqueline Pei
- Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mercedes Bagshawe
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carly A McMorris
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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19
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de Water E, Rockhold MN, Roediger DJ, Krueger AM, Mueller BA, Boys CJ, Schumacher MJ, Mattson SN, Jones KL, Lim KO, Wozniak JR. Social behaviors and gray matter volumes of brain areas supporting social cognition in children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure. Brain Res 2021; 1761:147388. [PMID: 33621483 PMCID: PMC8377082 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine: 1) differences in parent-reported prosocial and antisocial behaviors between children and adolescents with and without prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE); 2) differences in gray matter volumes of brain areas supporting social cognition between children and adolescents with and without PAE; 3) correlations between gray matter volumes of brain areas supporting social cognition and parent-reported prosocial and antisocial behaviors. Parents of children and adolescents ages 8-16 years completed measures on their prosocial and antisocial behaviors (i.e., Behavior Assessment Scale for Children, Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scales, and Child Behavior Checklist) (n = 84; 41 with PAE, 43 without PAE). Seventy-nine participants (40 with PAE, 39 without PAE) also completed a structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan with quality data. Gray matter volumes of seven brain areas supporting social cognitive processes were computed using automated procedures (FreeSurfer 6.0): bilateral fusiform gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, medial orbitofrontal cortex, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and temporal pole. Children and adolescents with PAE showed decreased prosocial behaviors and increased antisocial behaviors as well as smaller volumes of the precuneus and lateral orbitofrontal cortex, even when controlling for total intracranial volume. Social brain volumes were not significantly correlated with prosocial or antisocial behaviors. These findings suggest that children and adolescents with PAE show worse social functioning and smaller volumes of brain areas supporting self-awareness, perspective-taking and emotion-regulation than their same-age peers without PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik de Water
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | | | - Alyssa M Krueger
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Kelvin O Lim
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Wozniak
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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20
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Lees B, Mewton L, Jacobus J, Valadez EA, Stapinski LA, Teesson M, Tapert SF, Squeglia LM. Association of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure With Psychological, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Am J Psychiatry 2020; 177:1060-1072. [PMID: 32972200 PMCID: PMC7924902 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Data on the neurodevelopmental and associated behavioral effects of light to moderate in utero alcohol exposure are limited. This retrospective investigation tested for associations between reported maternal prenatal alcohol use and psychological, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in substance-naive youths. METHODS Participants were 9,719 youths (ages 9.0 to 10.9 years) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Based on parental reports, 2,518 (25.9%) had been exposed to alcohol in utero. Generalized additive mixed models and multilevel cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation models were used to test whether prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with psychological, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes, and whether differences in brain structure and resting-state functional connectivity partially explained these associations at baseline and 1-year follow-up, after controlling for possible confounding factors. RESULTS Prenatal alcohol exposure of any severity was associated with greater psychopathology, attention deficits, and impulsiveness, with some effects showing a dose-dependent response. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure, compared with those without, displayed greater cerebral and regional volume and greater regional surface area. Resting-state functional connectivity was largely unaltered in children with in utero exposure. Some of the psychological and behavioral outcomes at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up were partially explained by differences in brain structure among youths who had been exposed to alcohol in utero. CONCLUSIONS Any alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with subtle yet significant psychological and behavioral effects in children. Women should continue to be advised to abstain from alcohol consumption from conception throughout pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Lees
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Louise Mewton
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Joanna Jacobus
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Emilio A. Valadez
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Lexine A. Stapinski
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Maree Teesson
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Susan F. Tapert
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
| | - Lindsay M. Squeglia
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia (Lees, Stapinski, Teesson); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia (Mewton); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla (Jacobus, Tapert); Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park (Valadez); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of
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21
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Tan DW, Foo YZ, Downs J, Finlay-Jones A, Leonard H, Licari MK, Mullan N, Symons M, Varcin KJ, Whitehouse AJ, Alvares GA. A preliminary investigation of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on facial morphology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Alcohol 2020; 86:75-80. [PMID: 32243902 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol exposure during pregnancy has been associated with altered brain development and facial dysmorphology. While Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not specifically related to distinct facial phenotypes, recent studies have suggested certain facial characteristics such as increased facial masculinity and asymmetry may be associated with ASD and its clinical presentations. In the present study, we conducted a preliminary investigation to examine facial morphology in autistic children with (n = 37; mean age = 8.21 years, SD = 2.72) and without (n = 100; mean age = 8.37 years, SD = 2.47) prenatal alcohol exposure. Using three-dimensional facial scans and principal component analysis, we identified a facial shape associated with prenatal alcohol exposure in autistic children. However, variations in the alcohol-related facial shape were generally not associated with behavioral and cognitive outcomes. These findings suggest that while early exposure to alcohol may influence the development of facial structures, it does not appear to be associated with ASD phenotypic variability. Importantly, although these findings do not implicate a role for prenatal alcohol exposure in the etiology of ASD, further research is warranted to investigate the link between prenatal alcohol exposure and facial morphology differences among neurodevelopmental conditions.
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22
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McLachlan K, Zhou D, Little G, Rasmussen C, Pei J, Andrew G, Reynolds JN, Beaulieu C. Current Socioeconomic Status Correlates With Brain Volumes in Healthy Children and Adolescents but Not in Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:223. [PMID: 32714166 PMCID: PMC7344164 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) exhibit neurological deficits associated with brain injury including smaller brain volumes. Additional risk factors such as lower socioeconomic status (SES) may also have an impact on brain development for this population. This study examined how brain volumes are related to SES in both neurotypically developing children and adolescents, and those with PAE. 3D T1-weighted MPRAGE images were acquired from 69 participants with PAE (13.0 ± 3.2 years, range 7.1–18.8 years, 49% female) and 70 neurotypical controls (12.4 ± 2.9 years, range 7.0–18.5 years, 60% female) from four scanning sites in Canada. SES scores calculated using Hollingshead’s Four-Factor Index of Social Status from current caregiver placement were not significantly different between groups, though more children with PAE had lower SES scores compared to controls. Psychometric data comprised 14 cognitive measures, including executive functioning, attention and working memory, memory, math/numerical ability, and word reading. All cognitive scores were significantly worse in children with PAE compared to controls, though SES was not correlated with cognitive scores in either group after correction for multiple comparisons. All 13 brain volumes were smaller in children with PAE compared to children in the control group. Higher SES was associated with larger hippocampus and amygdala volumes in controls, but there were no such associations in children with PAE. Direct evaluation of the interaction between SES and diagnostic group did not show a significant differential impact of SES on these structures. These findings support previous links between SES and brain volumes in neurotypically developing children, but the lack of such a relationship with SES in children with PAE may be due to the markedly smaller brain volumes resulting from the initial brain injury and postpartum brain development, regardless of later SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn McLachlan
- Department of Psychology, College of Social & Applied Human Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Department of Zoology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Graham Little
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Carmen Rasmussen
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Pei
- Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gail Andrew
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital PAE Clinic, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - James N Reynolds
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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23
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Sullivan EV, Moore EM, Lane B, Pohl KM, Riley EP, Pfefferbaum A. Graded Cerebellar Lobular Volume Deficits in Adolescents and Young Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:4729-4746. [PMID: 32133485 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The extensive prenatal developmental growth period of the cerebellum renders it vulnerable to unhealthy environmental agents, especially alcohol. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is marked by neurodysmorphology including cerebral and cerebellar volume deficits, but the cerebellar lobular deficit profile has not been delineated. Legacy MRI data of 115 affected and 59 unaffected adolescents and young adults were analyzed for lobular gray matter volume and revealed graded deficits supporting a spectrum of severity. Graded deficits were salient in intracranial volume (ICV), where the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) group was smaller than the fetal alcohol effects (FAE) group, which was smaller than the controls. Adjusting for ICV, volume deficits were present in VIIB and VIIIA of the FAE group and were more widespread in FAS and included lobules I, II, IV, V, VI, Crus II, VIIB, and VIIIA. Graded deficits (FAS < FAE) were consistently present in lobules VI; neither group showed volume deficits in Crus I or IX. Neuroradiological readings blind to diagnosis identified 20 anomalies, 8 involving the cerebellum, 5 of which were in the FAS group. We speculate that the regional cerebellar FASD-related volume deficits may contribute to diagnostically characteristic functional impairment involving emotional control, visuomotor coordination, and postural stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith V Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eileen M Moore
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Barton Lane
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kilian M Pohl
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Edward P Riley
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Adolf Pfefferbaum
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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24
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Long X, Little G, Treit S, Beaulieu C, Gong G, Lebel C. Altered brain white matter connectome in children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:1123-1133. [PMID: 32239277 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02064-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Diffuson tensor imaging (DTI) has demonstrated widespread alterations of brain white matter structure in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), yet it remains unclear how these alterations affect the structural brain network as a whole. The present study aimed to examine changes in the DTI-based structural connectome in children and adolescents with PAE compared to unexposed controls. Participants were 121 children and adolescents with PAE (51 females) and 119 typically-developing controls (49 females) aged 5-18 years with DTI data collected at one of four research centers across Canada. Graph-theory based analysis was performed on the connectivity matrix constructed from whole-brain white matter fibers via deterministic tractography. The PAE group had significantly decreased whole-brain global efficiency, degree centrality, and participation coefficients, as well as increased shortest path length and betweenness centrality compared to unexposed controls. Individuals with PAE had decreased connectivity between the attention, somatomotor, and default mode networks compared to controls. This study demonstrates decreased structural white matter connectivity in children and adolescents with PAE at a whole-brain level, suggesting widespread alterations in how networks are connected with each other. This decreased connectivity may underlie cognitive and behavioural difficulties in children with PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Long
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, B4-513, University of Calgary, 2888 Shaganappi Trail, Calgary, NWAB, T3B 6A8, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Graham Little
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah Treit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gaolang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, B4-513, University of Calgary, 2888 Shaganappi Trail, Calgary, NWAB, T3B 6A8, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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25
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Bottom RT, Abbott CW, Huffman KJ. Rescue of ethanol-induced FASD-like phenotypes via prenatal co-administration of choline. Neuropharmacology 2020; 168:107990. [PMID: 32044264 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can generate a multitude of deficits in the offspring. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD, describe a palette of potentially life-long phenotypes that result from exposure to ethanol during human gestation. There is no cure for FASD and cognitive-behavioral therapies typically have low success rates, especially in severe cases. The neocortex, responsible for complex cognitive and behavioral function, is altered by prenatal ethanol exposure (PrEE). Supplementation with choline, an essential nutrient, during the prenatal ethanol insult has been associated with a reduction of negative outcomes associated with PrEE. However, choline's ability to prevent deficits within the developing neocortex, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. Here, we exposed pregnant mice to 25% ethanol in addition to a 642 mg/L choline chloride supplement throughout gestation to determine the impact of choline supplementation on neocortical and behavioral development in ethanol-exposed offspring. We found that concurrent choline supplementation prevented gross developmental abnormalities associated with PrEE including reduced body weight, brain weight, and cortical length as well as partially ameliorated PrEE-induced abnormalities in intraneocortical circuitry. Additionally, choline supplementation prevented altered expression of RZRβ and Id2, two genes implicated in postmitotic patterning of neocortex, and global DNA hypomethylation within developing neocortex. Lastly, choline supplementation prevented sensorimotor behavioral dysfunction and partially ameliorated increased anxiety-like behavior observed in PrEE mice, as assessed by the Suok and Ledge tests. Our results suggest that choline supplementation may represent a potent preventative measure for the adverse outcomes associated with PrEE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley T Bottom
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Charles W Abbott
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Kelly J Huffman
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Dept. of Psychology, University of California, Riverside; 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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26
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Collier AD, Min SS, Campbell SD, Roberts MY, Camidge K, Leibowitz SF. Maternal ethanol consumption before paternal fertilization: Stimulation of hypocretin neurogenesis and ethanol intake in zebrafish offspring. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 96:109728. [PMID: 31394141 PMCID: PMC6815720 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There are numerous clinical and pre-clinical studies showing that exposure of the embryo to ethanol markedly affects neuronal development and stimulates alcohol drinking and related behaviors. In rodents and zebrafish, our studies show that embryonic exposure to low-dose ethanol, in addition to increasing voluntary ethanol intake during adolescence, increases the density of hypothalamic hypocretin (hcrt) neurons, a neuropeptide known to regulate reward-related behaviors. The question addressed here in zebrafish is whether maternal ethanol intake before conception also affects neuronal and behavioral development, phenomena suggested by clinical reports but seldom investigated. To determine if preconception maternal ethanol consumption also affects these hcrt neurons and behavior in the offspring, we first standardized a method of measuring voluntary ethanol consumption in AB strain adult and larval zebrafish given gelatin meals containing 10% or 0.1% ethanol, respectively. We found the number of bites of gelatin to be an accurate measure of intake in adults and a strong predictor of blood ethanol levels, and also to be a reliable indicator of intake in larval zebrafish. We then used this feeding paradigm and live imaging to examine the effects of preconception maternal intake of 10% ethanol-gelatin compared to plain-gelatin for 14 days on neuronal development in the offspring. Whereas ethanol consumption by adult female HuC:GFP transgenic zebrafish had no impact on the number of differentiated HuC+ neurons at 28 h post-fertilization (hpf), preconception ethanol consumption by adult female hcrt:EGFP zebrafish significantly increased the number of hcrt neurons in the offspring, an effect observed at 28 hpf and confirmed at 6 and 12 days post-fertilization (dpf). This increase in hcrt neurons was primarily present on the left side of the brain, indicating asymmetry in ethanol's actions, and it was accompanied by behavioral changes in the offspring, including a significant increase in novelty-induced locomotor activity but not thigmotaxis measured at 6 dpf and also in voluntary consumption of 0.1% ethanol-gelatin at 12 dpf. Notably, these measures of ethanol intake and locomotor activity stimulated by preconception ethanol were strongly, positively correlated with the number of hcrt neurons. These findings demonstrate that preconception maternal ethanol consumption affects the brain and behavior of the offspring, producing effects similar to those caused by embryonic ethanol exposure, and they provide further evidence that the ethanol-induced increase in hcrt neurogenesis contributes to the behavioral disturbances caused by ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Collier
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Soe S Min
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samantha D Campbell
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mia Y Roberts
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaylin Camidge
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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Little G, Beaulieu C. Multivariate models of brain volume for identification of children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 41:1181-1194. [PMID: 31737980 PMCID: PMC7267984 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have shown reductions of brain volume associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol. Previous studies consider regional brain volumes independently but ignore potential relationships across numerous structures. This study aims to (a) identify a multivariate model based on regional brain volume that discriminates children/adolescents with FASD versus healthy controls, and (b) determine if FASD classification performance can be increased by building classification models separately for each sex. Three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI from two independent childhood/adolescent datasets were used for training (79 FASD, aged 5.7–18.9 years, 35 males; 81 controls, aged 5.8–18.5 years, 32 males) and testing (67 FASD, aged 6.0–19.6 years, 38 males; 74 controls, aged 5.2–19.5 years, 42 males) a classification model. Using FreeSurfer, 87 regional brain volumes were extracted for each subject and were used as input into a support vector machine generating a classification model from the training data. The model performed moderately well on the test data with accuracy 77%, sensitivity 64%, and specificity 88%. Regions that contributed heavily to prediction in this model included temporal lobe and subcortical gray matter. Further investigation of two separate models for males and females showed slightly decreased accuracy compared to the model including all subjects (male accuracy 70%; female accuracy 67%), but had different regional contributions suggesting sex differences. This work demonstrates the potential of multivariate analysis of brain volumes for discriminating children/adolescents with FASD and provides indication of the most affected regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Little
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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28
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Long X, Kar P, Gibbard B, Tortorelli C, Lebel C. The brain's functional connectome in young children with prenatal alcohol exposure. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 24:102082. [PMID: 31795047 PMCID: PMC6889793 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We used fMRI to study young children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). We measured the functional connectome and its stability within and across participants. The PAE group had similar graph theory metrics to controls. The PAE group, but not controls, had increasing intra-participant stability with age. Controls, but not the PAE group, had increasing inter-participant stability with age.
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to altered brain function and structure, as well as lifelong cognitive, behavioral, and mental health difficulties. Previous research has shown reduced brain network efficiency in older children and adolescents with PAE, but no imaging studies have examined brain differences in young children with PAE, at an age when cognitive and behavioral problems often first become apparent. The present study aimed to investigate the brain's functional connectome in young children with PAE using passive viewing fMRI. We analyzed 34 datasets from 26 children with PAE aged 2–7 years and 215 datasets from 87 unexposed typically-developing children in the same age range. The whole brain functional connectome was constructed using functional connectivity analysis across 90 regions for each dataset. We examined intra- and inter-participant stability of the functional connectome, graph theoretical measurements, and their correlations with age. Children with PAE had similar inter- and intra-participant stability to controls. However, children with PAE, but not controls, showed increasing intra-participant stability with age, suggesting a lack of variability of intrinsic brain activity over time. Inter-participant stability increased with age in controls but not in children with PAE, indicating more variability of brain function across the PAE population. Global graph metrics were similar between children with PAE and controls, in line with previous studies in older children. This study characterizes the functional connectome in young children with PAE for the first time, suggesting that the increased brain variability seen in older children develops early in childhood, when participants with PAE fail to show the expected age-related increases in inter-individual stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Long
- Alberta Children's Hospital, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary T3B6A8, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Canada
| | - Preeti Kar
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Canada
| | - Ben Gibbard
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Catherine Lebel
- Alberta Children's Hospital, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary T3B6A8, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Canada.
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29
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Raineki C, Morgan EJ, Ellis L, Weinberg J. Glucocorticoid receptor expression in the stress-limbic circuitry is differentially affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and adolescent stress. Brain Res 2019; 1718:242-251. [PMID: 31102593 PMCID: PMC6579044 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The dense expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) within the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) mediates many aspects of emotional and stress regulation. Importantly, both prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and adolescent stress are known to induce emotional and stress dysregulation. Little is known, however, about how PAE and/or adolescent stress may alter the expression of GR in the amygdala, mPFC, and PVN. To fill this gap, we exposed PAE and control adolescent male and female rats to chronic mild stress (CMS) and assessed GR mRNA expression in the amygdala, mPFC, and PVN immediately following stress or in adulthood. We found that the effects of PAE on GR expression were more prevalent in the amygdala, while effects of adolescent stress on GR expression were more prevalent in the mPFC. Moreover, PAE effects in the amygdala were more pronounced during adolescence and adolescent stress effects in the mPFC were more pronounced in adulthood. GR expression in the PVN was affected by both PAE and adolescent stress. Finally, PAE and/or adolescent stress effects were distinct between males and females. Together, these results suggest that PAE and adolescent CMS induce dynamic alterations in GR expression in the amygdala, mPFC, and PVN, which manifest differently depending on the brain area, age, and sex of the animal. Additionally, these data indicate that PAE-induced hyperresponsiveness to stress and increased vulnerability to mental health problems may be mediated by different neural mechanisms depending on the sex and age of the animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlis Raineki
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Erin J Morgan
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Linda Ellis
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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30
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Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Lancet Neurol 2019; 18:760-770. [PMID: 31160204 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although prenatal alcohol exposure causes craniofacial anomalies, growth retardation, neurological abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and birth defects, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is underdiagnosed. Global prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is 0·77%, with a higher prevalence of 2-5% in Europe and North America, highlighting the need for increased diagnosis and treatment. However, diagnosis remains challenging because of the poor reliability of self-reported maternal drinking histories, an absence of sensitive biomarkers, and the infrequency of diagnostic dysmorphic facial features among individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Different diagnostic systems and disagreements over criteria have slowed progress in the diagnosis and management of the disorder. Neuroimaging shows abnormalities in brain structure, cortical development, white matter microstructure, and functional connectivity in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. These abnormalities modify developmental trajectories and are associated with deficits in cognition, executive function, memory, vision, hearing, motor skills, behaviour, and social adaptation. Promising trials of nutritional interventions and cognitive rehabilitation therapies are underway, with the aim of treating cognitive deficits in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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31
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Li Y, Shen M, Stockton ME, Zhao X. Hippocampal deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 165:106945. [PMID: 30321651 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders result from impaired development or maturation of the central nervous system. Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the pathogenesis of these disorders; however, the exact causes are frequently complex and unclear. Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders may have deficits with diverse manifestations, including challenges with sensory function, motor function, learning, memory, executive function, emotion, anxiety, and social ability. Although these functions are mediated by multiple brain regions, many of them are dependent on the hippocampus. Extensive research supports important roles of the mammalian hippocampus in learning and cognition. In addition, with its high levels of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and lifelong neurogenesis, the hippocampus is sensitive to experience and exposure and susceptible to disease and injury. In this review, we first summarize hippocampal deficits seen in several human neurodevelopmental disorders, and then discuss hippocampal impairment including hippocampus-dependent behavioral deficits found in animal models of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Minjie Shen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Michael E Stockton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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32
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Zhang Z, He L, Huang S, Fan L, Li Y, Li P, Zhang J, Liu J, Yang R. Alteration of Brain Structure With Long-Term Abstinence of Methamphetamine by Voxel-Based Morphometry. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:722. [PMID: 30618890 PMCID: PMC6306455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A large portion of previous studies that have demonstrated brain gray matter reduction in individuals who use methamphetamine (MA) have focused on short-term abstinence, but few studies have focused on the effects of long-term abstinence of methamphetamine on brain structures. Materials and Methods: Our study includes 40 healthy controls and 44 abstinent methamphetamine-dependent (AMD) subjects who have abstained for at least 14 months. For every AMD subject, the age when they first used MA, the total time of MA use, the frequency of MA use in the last month before abstinence, the duration of abstinence and the craving score were recorded. Here we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the gray matter volume (GMV) of each subject with voxel-based morphometry method. Two-sample t-test (AlphaSim corrected) was performed to obtain brain regions with different gray matter volume (GMV) between groups. In addition, partial correlation coefficients adjusted for age, years of education, smoking, and drinking were calculated in the AMD group to assess associations between the mean GMV values in significant clusters and variables of MA use and abstinence. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, AMD group showed increased gray matter volumes in the bilateral cerebellum and decreased volumes in the right calcarine and right cuneus. Moreover, GMV of left cerebellum are positively correlated with the duration of abstinence in the AMD group (p = 0.040, r = 0.626). Conclusions: The present study showed that the gray matter volume in some brain regions is abnormal in the AMD subjects with long-term abstinence. Changes in gray matter volume of visual and cognitive function regions suggested that these areas play important roles in the progress of MA addiction and abstinence. In addition, positive correlation between GMV of the left cerebellum crus and duration of abstinence suggested that prolonged abstinence is beneficial to cognitive function recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Lei He
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shucai Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Wuhu, Wuhu, China
| | - Lidan Fan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Hunan Judicial Police Academy, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ru Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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