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Zhou M, Gao G, Rong B, Zhao H, Huang J, Tu N, Bu L, Xiao L, Wang G. Sex differences of neural connectivity in internet gaming disorder and its association with sleep quality: an exploratory fMRI study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1379259. [PMID: 38873537 PMCID: PMC11169786 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1379259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Sex-specific differences in internet gaming disorder (IGD) neurophysiology remain underexplored. Here we investigated sex-related variability in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) in IGD and their correlations with sleep quality. Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on 52 subjects with IGD and 50 healthy controls (HCs). Two-way ANOVA was used to examine sex and diagnosis interactions in ReHo and FC, followed by post-hoc analyses to explore FC biomarkers for different sexes. Results In ReHo analysis, the four groups showed significant sex and diagnosis interactions in the right middle frontal gyrus (rMFG). FC analysis with rMFG as the seed region revealed a significant sex and diagnosis interaction effect in FC of the rMFG with the bilateral postcentral gyrus (PoCG). In male IGD group, FC between the rMFG and the bilateral PoCG correlates strongly with daytime dysfunction score and the Pittsburgh sleep quality inventory (PSQI) total score. Conclusion These findings emphasize the importance of considering sexual dimorphism in the neurobiology of IGD, which might influence subsequent treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhe Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guoqing Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bei Rong
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haomian Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junhua Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ning Tu
- PET-CT/MR Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lihong Bu
- PET-CT/MR Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gaohua Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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2
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Sundermann B, Feldmann R, Mathys C, Rau JMH, Garde S, Braje A, Weglage J, Pfleiderer B. Functional connectivity of cognition-related brain networks in adults with fetal alcohol syndrome. BMC Med 2023; 21:496. [PMID: 38093292 PMCID: PMC10720228 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03208-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can result in cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive functions affected are subserved by few functional brain networks. Functional connectivity (FC) in these networks can be assessed with resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Alterations of FC have been reported in children and adolescents prenatally exposed to alcohol. Previous reports varied substantially regarding the exact nature of findings. The purpose of this study was to assess FC of cognition-related networks in young adults with FAS. METHODS Cross-sectional rs-fMRI study in participants with FAS (n = 39, age: 20.9 ± 3.4 years) and healthy participants without prenatal alcohol exposure (n = 44, age: 22.2 ± 3.4 years). FC was calculated as correlation between cortical regions in ten cognition-related sub-networks. Subsequent modelling of overall FC was based on linear models comparing FC between FAS and controls. Results were subjected to a hierarchical statistical testing approach, first determining whether there is any alteration of FC in FAS in the full cognitive connectome, subsequently resolving these findings to the level of either FC within each network or between networks based on the Higher Criticism (HC) approach for detecting rare and weak effects in high-dimensional data. Finally, group differences in single connections were assessed using conventional multiple-comparison correction. In an additional exploratory analysis, dynamic FC states were assessed. RESULTS Comparing FAS participants with controls, we observed altered FC of cognition-related brain regions globally, within 7 out of 10 networks, and between networks employing the HC statistic. This was most obvious in attention-related network components. Findings also spanned across subcomponents of the fronto-parietal control and default mode networks. None of the single FC alterations within these networks yielded statistical significance in the conventional high-resolution analysis. The exploratory time-resolved FC analysis did not show significant group differences of dynamic FC states. CONCLUSIONS FC in cognition-related networks was altered in adults with FAS. Effects were widely distributed across networks, potentially reflecting the diversity of cognitive deficits in FAS. However, no altered single connections could be determined in the most detailed analysis level. Findings were pronounced in networks in line with attentional deficits previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Sundermann
- Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Clinic of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Reinhold Feldmann
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Mathys
- Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Johanna M H Rau
- Clinic of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Department of Neurology With Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Garde
- Clinic of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Anna Braje
- Clinic of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Josef Weglage
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bettina Pfleiderer
- Clinic of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Shah P, Kaneria A, Fleming G, Williams CRO, Sullivan RM, Lemon CH, Smiley J, Saito M, Wilson DA. Homeostatic NREM sleep and salience network function in adult mice exposed to ethanol during development. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1267542. [PMID: 38033546 PMCID: PMC10682725 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1267542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental exposure to ethanol is a leading cause of cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems, with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) affecting more than 1:100 children. Recently, comorbid sleep deficits have been highlighted in these disorders, with sleep repair a potential therapeutic target. Animal models of FASD have shown non-REM (NREM) sleep fragmentation and slow-wave oscillation impairments that predict cognitive performance. Here we use a mouse model of perinatal ethanol exposure to explore whether reduced sleep pressure may contribute to impaired NREM sleep, and compare the function of a brain network reported to be impacted by insomnia-the Salience network-in developmental ethanol-exposed mice with sleep-deprived, saline controls. Mice were exposed to ethanol or saline on postnatal day 7 (P7) and allowed to mature to adulthood for testing. At P90, telemetered cortical recordings were made for assessment of NREM sleep in home cage before and after 4 h of sleep deprivation to assess basal NREM sleep and homeostatic NREM sleep response. To assess Salience network functional connectivity, mice were exposed to the 4 h sleep deprivation period or left alone, then immediately sacrificed for immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos expression. The results show that developmental ethanol severely impairs both normal rebound NREM sleep and sleep deprivation induced increases in slow-wave activity, consistent with reduced sleep pressure. Furthermore, the Salience network connectome in rested, ethanol-exposed mice was most similar to that of sleep-deprived, saline control mice, suggesting a sleep deprivation-like state of Salience network function after developmental ethanol even without sleep deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Shah
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
| | - Aayush Kaneria
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
| | - Gloria Fleming
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
| | - Colin R. O. Williams
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
| | - Regina M. Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christian H. Lemon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - John Smiley
- Division of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY,United States
| | - Mariko Saito
- Division of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY,United States
| | - Donald A. Wilson
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY,United States
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Simmons RW, Thomas JD, Taggart T, Ward QJ, Ashrafi A, Mattson SN, Riley EP. Spiral drawing deficits in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:2045-2055. [PMID: 38226753 PMCID: PMC10792250 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Empirical investigations reveal that, in comparison to their typically developing peers, children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure experience deficits in writing but not drawing skills, both of which require fine motor control. This study examines drawing skills in this clinical group by assessing simple free-form spiral drawings with indices of spectral features and structural organization. METHODS Children with (n = 15) and without (n = 24) prenatal alcohol exposure used their dominant and nondominant hands to draw a series of spirals using a wireless pen stylus that either provided concurrent visual feedback in the form of a black ink trace or left no visible ink trace of each drawing. Spirals were drawn on a sheet of paper placed on a digitizing table, which facilitated online data acquisition. The data were assessed by power spectral density function analysis and sample entropy analysis. RESULTS In comparison to their typically developing peers, children with prenatal alcohol exposure produced spirals with a lower mean frequency and less spectral variability. Spirals in the prenatally exposed group were also lower in complexity and structural organization than in the control group. These results occurred independently of hand dominance or the availability of visual feedback. CONCLUSIONS The drawing skills of children with prenatal alcohol exposure have inherent signal characteristics that differ significantly from those produced by typically developing peers. Simple tasks requiring fine motor control may be useful in identifying individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger W Simmons
- School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tenille Taggart
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Ashkan Ashrafi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sarah N Mattson
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Edward P Riley
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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Mattson JT, Thorne JC, Kover ST. Parental scaffolding in play: A comparison of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 139:104553. [PMID: 37295127 PMCID: PMC10635817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental support of child play varies based on child needs; however, how parental play level differs from child play level remains an understudied area of research, especially in relation to specific developmental disabilities. AIMS To preliminarily explore differences in child and parent play levels in age- and IQ-matched children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS and Procedures: Parent-child dyads were recorded during free-play sessions. Parent/child play levels were coded for highest level achieved during each minute of play. Mean play level and dPlay (difference in parent versus child play level) were calculated across play sessions for each dyad. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS On average, parents of children with FASD demonstrated higher levels of play than other parents. Children with FASD demonstrated higher levels of play than their own parents. In contrast, the play level of parents of children with ASD did not differ from their child's. There were no between-group differences in dPlay. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This preliminary exploratory study suggests that parents of children with developmental disabilities may differentially 'match' their child's play level. Further research on developmental play levels during parent-child play is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia T Mattson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
| | - John C Thorne
- Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Sara T Kover
- Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Jolma LM, Koivu-Jolma M, Sarajuuri A, Torkki P, Autti-Rämö I, Sätilä H. Children with FASD-Evolving Patterns of Developmental Problems and Intervention Costs in Ages 0 through 16 in Finland. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10050788. [PMID: 37238336 DOI: 10.3390/children10050788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This is a retrospective chart review of 55 persons (mean age 11 years, range 2-28 years) diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in one Finnish central hospital. The aim was to determine typical problems and interventions and estimate their costs during different periods of childhood between ages 0 and 16. During the first year, 29/38 (76.3%) were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit, 29/43 (67.4%) received physiotherapy, 15/43 (34.9%) were diagnosed with congenital malformation, 8/43 (18.6%) had heart defects. Between 1 and 6 years, 39/45 (86.7%) received occupational therapy, 25/45 (55.6%) speech therapy, and 12/45 (26.7%) were diagnosed with strabismus. Between 7 and 12 years, 25/37 (67.6%) were diagnosed with ADHD and special education was recommended for 30/37 (81.1%). Learning disorders and the need for psychiatric care increased with age. Between 13 and 16 years, 12/15 (80%) were treated in the psychiatric unit, and by this age, 8/15 (53.3%) were diagnosed with intellectual disability. Before 16 years, 44/55 (80%) were placed out of home, which caused 78.5% of the estimated cumulative mean extra costs of EUR 1,077,000 in 2022 currency. Except for psychiatric costs, health care costs were highest during early years. Charting typical patterns of problems may help in identifying children with FASD and planning follow-ups, content of assessments, and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mirjami Jolma
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Child Neurology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850 Lahti, Finland
| | - Mikko Koivu-Jolma
- Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Gustaf Hällströminkatu 2, P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Sarajuuri
- Division of Child Neurology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Stenbäckinkatu 11, P.O. Box 22, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paulus Torkki
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Autti-Rämö
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Sätilä
- Division of Child Neurology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850 Lahti, Finland
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7
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Candelaria-Cook FT, Schendel ME, Flynn L, Cerros C, Hill DE, Stephen JM. Disrupted dynamic functional network connectivity in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:687-703. [PMID: 36880528 PMCID: PMC10281251 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in harmful and long-lasting neurodevelopmental changes. Children with PAE or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have decreased white matter volume and resting-state spectral power compared to typically developing controls (TDC) and impaired resting-state static functional connectivity. The impact of PAE on resting-state dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) is unknown. METHODS Using eyes-closed and eyes-open magnetoencephalography (MEG) resting-state data, global dFNC statistics and meta-states were examined in 89 children aged 6-16 years (51 TDC, 38 with FASD). Source analyzed MEG data were used as input to group spatial independent component analysis to derive functional networks from which the dFNC was calculated. RESULTS During eyes-closed, relative to TDC, participants with FASD spent a significantly longer time in state 2, typified by anticorrelation (i.e., decreased connectivity) within and between default mode network (DMN) and visual network (VN), and state 4, typified by stronger internetwork correlation. The FASD group exhibited greater dynamic fluidity and dynamic range (i.e., entered more states, changed from one meta-state to another more often, and traveled greater distances) than TDC. During eyes-open, TDC spent significantly more time in state 1, typified by positive intra- and interdomain connectivity with modest correlation within the frontal network (FN), while participants with FASD spent a larger fraction of time in state 2, typified by anticorrelation within and between DMN and VN and strong correlation within and between FN, attention network, and sensorimotor network. CONCLUSIONS There are important resting-state dFNC differences between children with FASD and TDC. Participants with FASD exhibited greater dynamic fluidity and dynamic range and spent more time in states typified by anticorrelation within and between DMN and VN, and more time in a state typified by high internetwork connectivity. Taken together, these network aberrations indicate that prenatal alcohol exposure has a global effect on resting-state connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan E. Schendel
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Lucinda Flynn
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Cassandra Cerros
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Dina E. Hill
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Julia M. Stephen
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Wang R, Martin CD, Lei AL, Hausknecht KA, Turk M, Micov V, Kwarteng F, Ishiwari K, Oubraim S, Wang AL, Richards JB, Haj-Dahmane S, Shen RY. Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs sensory processing and habituation to visual stimuli, effects normalized by enrichment of postnatal environmental. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:891-906. [PMID: 35347730 PMCID: PMC9122102 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) often show processing deficits in all sensory modalities. Using an operant light reinforcement model, we tested whether prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) alters operant responding to elicit a contingent sensory stimulus-light onset (turning on the light) and habituation to this behavior in rats. We also explored whether postnatal environmental enrichment could ameliorate PE-induced deficits. METHODS Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were gavaged twice/day with 0 or 3 g/kg/treatment ethanol (15% w/v) during gestational days 8-20, mimicking second-trimester heavy PE in humans. The offspring were reared in a standard housing condition or an enriched condition. Adult male and female offspring underwent an operant light reinforcement experiment with either a short-access or a long-access procedure. A dishabituation test was also conducted to characterize the habituation process. RESULTS In the short-access procedure, PE led to increased operant responding to the contingent light onset in both sexes reared in the standard housing condition. Such an effect was not observed in rats reared in enriched conditions due to an overall decrease in responding. Moreover, rats reared in enriched conditions showed greater short-term habituation. In the long access procedure, PE rats showed increased responding and impaired long-term habituation. The long-access procedure facilitated both short-term and long-term habituation in control and PE rats. CONCLUSION Prenatal ethanol exposure increases responding to contingent light onset and impairs the long-term habituation process. The PE-induced deficits were ameliorated by rearing in the enriched environment and increasing the duration and frequency of exposure to light onset. The PE-induced effects are like increased sensation-seeking, a subtype of sensory-processing deficit that is often observed in individuals with FASD. Our findings could inform a suitable animal model for investigating the underlying mechanisms and possible intervention strategies for sensory deficits in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Connor D. Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Anna L. Lei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Hausknecht
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Marisa Turk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Veronika Micov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Francis Kwarteng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Keita Ishiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Saida Oubraim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - An-Li Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jerry B. Richards
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Samir Haj-Dahmane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Roh-Yu Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Prenatal depression exposure alters white matter integrity and neurodevelopment in early childhood. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:1324-1336. [PMID: 35000066 PMCID: PMC9107412 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00616-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal depression increases the risk for onset of emotional and behavioral disorders in children. We investigated the effects of exposure to prenatal depression on white matter microstructural integrity at birth and at 2-3 years, and associated neurodevelopment. Diffusion-weighted images were acquired for children of the Drakenstein Child Health Study at 2-4 weeks postpartum (n=70, 47% boys) and at 2-3 years of age (n=60, 58% boys). Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to compare, using an ROI based approach, diffusion tensor metrics across groups defined by presence (>19 on Beck's Depression Inventory and/or >12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) or absence (below depression thresholds) of depression, and associations with neurodevelopmental measures at age 2-3 years were determined. We did not detect group differences in white matter integrity at neonatal age, but at 2-3 years, children in the exposed group demonstrated higher fractional anisotropy, and lower mean and radial diffusivity in association tracts compared to controls. This was notable in the sagittal stratum (radial diffusivity: p<0.01). Altered white matter integrity metrics were also observed in projection tracts, including the corona radiata, which associated with cognitive and motor outcomes in exposed 2-3-year-olds (p<0.05). Our findings of widespread white matter alterations in 2-3-year-old children with prenatal exposure to depression are consistent with previous findings, as well as with neuroimaging findings in adults with major depression. Further, we identified novel associations of altered white matter integrity with cognitive development in depression-exposed children, suggesting that these neuroimaging findings may have early functional impact.
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Bariselli S, Lovinger DM. Corticostriatal Circuit Models of Cognitive Impairments Induced by Fetal Exposure to Alcohol. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:516-528. [PMID: 34281711 PMCID: PMC8463431 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder includes a group of diseases caused by fetal alcohol exposure (FAE). Patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder display heterogeneous socioemotional and cognitive deficits, particularly in the domain of executive function, that share symptoms with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the availability of several preclinical models, the developmental brain defects causally linked to behavioral deficits induced by FAE remain poorly understood. Here, we first review the effects of FAE on corticostriatal development and its impact on both corticostriatal pathway function and cognitive abilities. We propose three non-mutually exclusive circuit models of corticostriatal dysfunctions to account for some of the FAE-induced cognitive deficits. One model posits that associative-sensorimotor imbalance causes hyper goal-directed behavior, and a second model implies that alteration of prefrontal-striatal behavioral suppression circuits results in loss of behavioral inhibition. A third model suggests that local striatal circuit deficits affect striatal neuronal ensemble function to impair action selection and performance. Finally, we discuss how preclinical approaches applied to these circuit models could offer potential rescue strategies for executive function deficits in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Bariselli
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD (20892-941),Center on Compulsive Behaviors, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David M. Lovinger
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD (20892-941),Corresponding author:
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11
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Rodriguez CI, Vergara VM, Calhoun VD, Savage DD, Hamilton DA, Tesche CD, Stephen JM. Disruptions in global network segregation and integration in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:1775-1789. [PMID: 34342371 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health problem that is associated with a broad range of physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral effects resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been an important tool for advancing our knowledge of abnormal brain structure and function in individuals with FASD. However, whereas only a small number of studies have applied graph theory-based network analysis to resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data in individuals with FASD additional research in this area is needed. METHODS Resting-state fMRI data were collected from adolescent and young adult participants (ages 12-22) with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and neurotypically developing controls (CNTRL) from previous studies. Group independent components analysis (gICA) was applied to fMRI data to extract components representing functional brain networks. Functional network connectivity (FNC), measured by Pearson correlation of the average independent component (IC) time series, was analyzed under a graph theory framework to compare network modularity, the average clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and global efficiency between groups. Cognitive intelligence, measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), was compared and correlated to global network measures. RESULTS Group comparisons revealed significant differences in the average clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and global efficiency. Modularity was not significantly different between groups. The FAS and ARND groups scored significantly lower than the CNTRL group on Full Scale IQ (FS-IQ) and the Vocabulary subtest, but not the Matrix Reasoning subtest. No significant associations between intelligence and graph theory measures were detected. CONCLUSION Our results partially agree with previous studies examining global graph theory metrics in children and adolescents with FASD and suggest that the exposure to alcohol during prenatal development leads to disruptions in aspects of functional network segregation and integration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor M Vergara
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Vince D Calhoun
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Daniel D Savage
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Derek A Hamilton
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Claudia D Tesche
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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12
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Roos A, Wedderburn CJ, Fouche JP, Subramoney S, Joshi SH, Woods RP, Zar HJ, Narr KL, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Central white matter integrity alterations in 2-3-year-old children following prenatal alcohol exposure. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 225:108826. [PMID: 34182371 PMCID: PMC8299546 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) remains a potentially preventable, but pervasive risk factor to neurodevelopment. Yet, evidence is lacking on the impact of alcohol on brain development in toddlers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PAE on brain white matter integrity in 2-3-year-old children. METHODS Children (n = 83, 30-37 months old) of the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort, underwent diffusion MRI on a 3 T Siemens scanner during natural sleep. Parameters were extracted in children with PAE (n = 25, 56 % boys) and unexposed controls (n = 58, 62 % boys) using Tract-based Spatial Statistics, and compared by group. The contribution of maternal tobacco smoking to white matter differences was also explored. RESULTS Children with PAE had altered fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity and axial diffusivity in brain stem, limbic and association tracts compared to unexposed controls. Notably lower fractional anisotropy was found in the uncinate fasciculus, and lower mean and radial diffusivity were found in the fornix stria terminalis and corticospinal tract (FDR corrected p < 0.05). There was a significant interaction effect of PAE and prenatal tobacco exposure which lowered mean, radial and axial diffusivity in the corticospinal tract significantly in the PAE group but not controls. CONCLUSION Widespread altered white matter microstructural integrity at 2-3 years of age is consistent with findings in neonates in the same and other cohorts, indicating persistence of effects of PAE through early life. Findings also highlight that prenatal tobacco exposure impacts the association of PAE on white matter alterations, amplifying effects in tracts underlying motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annerine Roos
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Departments of Neurology and of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Roger P. Woods
- Departments of Neurology and of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Departments of Neurology and of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Dan J. Stein
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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13
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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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14
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Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure leads to alterations in cognition, behavior and underlying brain architecture. However, prior studies have not integrated structural and functional imaging data in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. The aim of this study was to characterize disruptions in both structural and functional brain network organization after prenatal alcohol exposure in very early life. A group of 11 neonates with prenatal alcohol exposure and 14 unexposed controls were investigated using diffusion weighted structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Covariance networks were created using graph theoretical analyses for each data set, controlling for age and sex. Group differences in global hub arrangement and regional connectivity were determined using nonparametric permutation tests. Neonates with prenatal alcohol exposure and controls exhibited similar global structural network organization. However, global functional networks of neonates with prenatal alcohol exposure comprised of temporal and limbic hubs, while hubs were more distributed in controls representing an early default mode network. On a regional level, controls showed prominent structural and functional connectivity in parietal and occipital regions. Neonates with prenatal alcohol exposure showed regionally, predominant structural and functional connectivity in several subcortical regions and occipital regions. The findings suggest early functional disruption on a global and regional level after prenatal alcohol exposure and indicate suboptimal organization of functional networks. These differences likely underlie sensory dysregulation and behavioral difficulties in prenatal alcohol exposure.
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15
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Ware AL, Long X, Lebel C. Functional connectivity of the attention networks is altered and relates to neuropsychological outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 48:100951. [PMID: 33838597 PMCID: PMC8044997 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.100951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive and functional brain alterations can occur in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). We examined the functional connectivity (FC) among regions within and between attention networks, and whether inter- and intranetwork FC moderated cognition in children with PAE (n = 37; age 12.8 ± 2.8 years) and nonexposed controls (n = 40; age 13.2 ± 2.8 years). Participants completed standardized attention and executive functioning tasks and resting state functional MRI. Inter- and intra-network FC and graph-theoretical metrics were calculated among attention network regions. Relative to controls, PAE was associated with reduced FC between the left temporoparietal junction and left ventral frontal cortex and anterior insula/frontal operculum (aI/fO), and between the left intraparietal sulcus and bilateral aI/fO. PAE was associated with increased FC between the right precuneus and intraparietal lobes, the right anterior prefrontal cortex and left ventral frontal cortex and aI/fO, and the left thalamus and dorsal frontal cortex. Graph-theoretical metrics did not differ by group. FC predicted cognitive performance, negatively in the children with PAE and positively in controls. Increased intra-network together with reduced internetwork FC suggests inefficient network specialization and impaired long-range FC among attention network regions after PAE. Results further suggest that those alterations may underlie attention and executive dysfunction in children with PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Ware
- Department of Radiology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Xiangu Long
- Department of Radiology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Department of Radiology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
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16
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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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17
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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 Clin 2019; 24:102082. [PMID: 31795047 PMCID: PMC6889793 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
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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18
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Pfinder M, Lhachimi S. Lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy: even low-to-moderate drinking during pregnancy increases the risk for adolescent behavioral problems. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1664668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Pfinder
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Health Promotion, AOK Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stefan Lhachimi
- Research Group for Evidence-Based Public Health, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS GmbH (BIPS), Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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19
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Long X, Little G, Beaulieu C, Lebel C. Sensorimotor network alterations in children and youth with prenatal alcohol exposure. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:2258-2268. [PMID: 29436054 PMCID: PMC6866525 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) often have impaired sensorimotor function. While altered brain structure has been noted in sensorimotor areas, the functional brain alterations remain unclear. This study aims to investigate sensorimotor brain networks in children and youth with PAE using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). A parcellation-based network analysis was performed to identify brain networks related to hand/lower limb and face/upper limb function in 59 children and youth with PAE and 50 typically developing controls. Participants with PAE and controls had similar organization of the hand and face areas within the primary sensorimotor cortex, but participants with PAE had altered functional connectivity (FC) between the sensorimotor regions and the rest of the brain. The sensorimotor regions in the PAE group showed less connectivity to certain hubs of the default mode network and more connectivity to areas of the salience network. Overall, our results show that despite similar patterns of organization in the sensorimotor network, subjects with PAE have increased FC between this network and other brain areas, perhaps suggesting overcompensation. These alterations in the sensorimotor network lay the foundation for future studies to evaluate interventions and treatments to improve motor function in children with PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Long
- Department of Radiology, and Alberta Children's Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Graham Little
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Department of Radiology, and Alberta Children's Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
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