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Sobolewski CM, Courchesne-Krak NS, Hyland MT, Bernes GA, Veziris CR, Wozniak JR, Mattson SN. Adaptive, Externalizing, and Internalizing Behavior of Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Comparison of Three Parent-Report Questionnaires. Dev Neuropsychol 2024; 49:167-177. [PMID: 38742629 PMCID: PMC11166041 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2024.2351796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
This study compared the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Third Edition (BASC-3) to the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Third Edition (VABS-3) in children with and without histories of prenatal alcohol exposure. Data were collected from Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Phase 4 sites. Caregivers rated their child's behavior using three questionnaires: BASC-3, CBCL, and VABS-3. BASC-3 Adaptive Skills, Externalizing Problems, and Internalizing Problems scores were correlated with comparable scores from the CBCL (Externalizing and Internalizing Problems) and VABS-3 (Adaptive Skills) both within and across groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for the BASC-3. BASC-3 sensitivity rates were 78.1%, 80.5%, and 47.0% and specificity rates were 79.4%, 80.4%, and 81.5% for Adaptive Skills, Externalizing Problems, and Internalizing Problems, respectively. Positive predictive values were 87.1%, 88.0%, and 81.9% and negative predictive values were 67.0%, 69.8%, and 46.3% for Adaptive Skills, Externalizing Problems, and Internalizing Problems, respectively. Results replicated previous reports of behavioral and adaptive difficulties in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. These findings provide support for using the BASC-3 in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe M. Sobolewski
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University
| | | | - Matthew T. Hyland
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University
| | - Gemma A. Bernes
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University
| | - Christina R. Veziris
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University
| | | | - Sarah N. Mattson
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University
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Rockhold MN, Holman PJ. Structural MRI and mental health associations in children with and without fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Translational insights. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:241-245. [PMID: 38105111 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Parker J Holman
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Warmingham J, Petrenko C, Rockhold M, Alto M, Manly JT, Toth S. Investigating the associations between prenatal exposure to substances and intergenerational maltreatment and symptoms of psychopathology for adolescent girls from families with low income. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 147:106594. [PMID: 38086214 PMCID: PMC10843548 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106594] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent girls whose families experience poverty are more vulnerable to psychopathology, and it is vital to investigate biopsychosocial factors contributing to mental health functioning. OBJECTIVE To test associations between prenatal exposure to substances, intergenerational maltreatment, and adolescent mental health symptoms. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Baseline data were used from a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-A) for depression among girls with and without maltreatment exposure. Adolescents (Aged 13-16; 63.5 % Black/African-American, 21.0 % White, 15.57 % other racial identity; 12.57 % Latina/x) were recruited from families experiencing financial adversity (income <200 % poverty threshold). METHODS Adolescent maltreatment status was determined by using multiple sources (child protective service records, parental report, and adolescent report). Mothers reported on prenatal substance exposure, experiences of maltreatment in their own childhood, and rated adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Latent Class Analysis was used to determine common patterns of prenatal substance exposure (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine). Structural Equation Modeling was used to evaluate associations between maltreatment in two generations, prenatal exposure to substances, and adolescent mental health symptoms. RESULTS Two profiles of prenatal substance exposure emerged: one typified by low substance exposure (92.8 %), and one with moderate to high substance exposure (7.2 %). Both prenatal substance exposure and maternal history of maltreatment were associated with adolescent maltreatment, which in turn, was associated with greater adolescent externalizing symptoms. Parental history of maltreatment was directly associated with greater adolescent internalizing symptoms. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to substances and intergenerational maltreatment each confer risk for mental health symptoms in adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Warmingham
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Christie Petrenko
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America.
| | - Madeline Rockhold
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Michelle Alto
- Baker Center for Children and Families, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jody Todd Manly
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Sheree Toth
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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Nakhid D, Patel D, McMorris CA, Gibbard WB, Tortorelli C, Pei J, Lebel C. Limbic brain subregions associated with mental health symptoms in youth with and without prenatal alcohol exposure. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:2033-2044. [PMID: 38226747 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in reduced brain volume and an increased risk of mental health challenges. Limbic brain structures such as the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala often exhibit smaller volumes in youth with PAE, and similar volume reductions are observed in unexposed youth with symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia. However, the role of volume reductions in these brain regions in mental health challenges remains unclear for individuals with PAE. METHODS Thirty-four youth with PAE and 72 unexposed youth aged 7-16 years completed a T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan. FreeSurfer was used to process and extract volumes for hippocampal subfields, thalamic subnuclei, and amygdalar subnuclei. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2/3-PRS), the Children's Depression Inventory, and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children. We tested whether limbic subregion volumes differed between youth with and those without PAE and whether volumes were associated with depression and/or anxiety symptoms, controlling for age and gender. RESULTS Multiple hippocampal and thalamic subregions, but not amygdalar subnuclei, were smaller in individuals with PAE. Multiple group-brain interactions were observed for depression symptoms and subregion volumes. Negative associations between anxiety and limbic subregions were observed across groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings show extensive volume reductions in the hippocampus and thalamus in youth with PAE. PAE also appears to disrupt the association between depression symptoms and limbic subregions in youth, which may have implications for interventions in these individuals. Anxiety symptoms in youth with and without PAE are similarly associated with limbic volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Nakhid
- Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darpal Patel
- Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carly A McMorris
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Werklund School of Education, School and Applied Child Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - W Ben Gibbard
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christina Tortorelli
- Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Pei
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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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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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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Nakhid D, McMorris C, Sun H, Gibbard WB, Tortorelli C, Lebel C. Brain volume and magnetic susceptibility differences in children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1797-1807. [PMID: 36016464 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can negatively affect brain development thereby increasing the risk of cognitive deficits, behavioral challenges, and mental health problems. Brain iron is important for a number of physiological processes for healthy brain development. Animal studies show that PAE reduced brain iron; however, this has not been investigated in human children with PAE. METHODS We studied 20 children and adolescents with PAE and 44 unexposed children and adolescents aged 7.5 to 15 years. All children underwent quantitative susceptibility mapping and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans. Susceptibility and volume measurements of the caudate, putamen, pallidum, thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens were extracted using FreeSurfer. ANCOVAs were used to compare volume and susceptibility between groups for each region of interest, controlling for age and gender. For structures where susceptibility differed by group, we also tested for an association between intelligence quotient (IQ) and susceptibility. RESULTS There were no significant group differences in susceptibility after multiple comparison correction, though the PAE group had higher susceptibility in the thalamus compared to unexposed participants before correction (p = 0.032, q = 0.230). There was no association between IQ and thalamus susceptibility. The PAE group had significantly lower volume in the bilateral caudate, bilateral pallidum, and left putamen. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest susceptibility may be altered in children and adolescents with PAE, though more research is needed. Volume reductions are consistent with previous literature and likely underlie cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Nakhid
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carly McMorris
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,School and Applied Child Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hongfu Sun
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - William Benton Gibbard
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christina Tortorelli
- Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Aghamohammadi-Sereshki A, McMorris CA, Ben Gibbard W, Tortorelli C, Pike GB, Lebel C. Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neurobehavioural development and volume of rostral cingulate cortex subregions. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2022; 47:E272-E282. [PMID: 35882478 PMCID: PMC9337872 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have widespread and long-lasting effects on children's cognition, behaviour, brain function and structure. The pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the anterior midcingulate cortex (MCC) mediate emotional and cognitive behaviours that are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. However, the neurobehavioural development of the pregenual ACC and anterior MCC has not been examined in people with prenatal alcohol exposure. METHODS We recruited 30 children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure and 50 age- and gender-matched unexposed controls. We acquired structural MRI data sets on a 3 T scanner. We manually delineated 2 areas of the rostral cingulate cortex - the pregenual ACC and the anterior MCC - and compared them between groups. We measured behavioural and emotional problems using the Behaviour Assessment System for Children, 2nd Edition, Parent Rating Scale, and then explored their associations with rostral cingulate cortex volumes. RESULTS Intracranial-normalized volumes of the right pregenual ACC and the right total rostral cingulate cortex were significantly smaller in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure than in unexposed controls. The volume of the right anterior MCC had a significant positive association with scores on the Internalizing Problems scale in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. LIMITATIONS This study was cross-sectional, and detailed information about the timing and amount of exposure was not always available. CONCLUSION Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with lower volumes in the right pregenual ACC. This finding may underlie some of the emotional and behavioural problems experienced by individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Aghamohammadi-Sereshki
- From the Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Aghamohammadi-Sereshki, Pike, Lebel); the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alta. (McMorris, Gibbard, Lebel); the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (McMorris); the Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Gibbard); the Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alta. (Tortorelli); the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alta. (Pike); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Pike, Lebel)
| | | | | | | | | | - Catherine Lebel
- From the Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Aghamohammadi-Sereshki, Pike, Lebel); the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alta. (McMorris, Gibbard, Lebel); the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (McMorris); the Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Gibbard); the Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alta. (Tortorelli); the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alta. (Pike); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. (Pike, Lebel)
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Brain Iron and Mental Health Symptoms in Youth with and without Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112213. [PMID: 35684012 PMCID: PMC9183007 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) negatively affects brain development and increases the risk of poor mental health. We investigated if brain volumes or magnetic susceptibility, an indirect measure of brain iron, were associated with internalizing or externalizing symptoms in youth with and without PAE. T1-weighted and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI scans were collected for 19 PAE and 40 unexposed participants aged 7.5–15 years. Magnetic susceptibility and volume of basal ganglia and limbic structures were extracted using FreeSurfer. Internalizing and Externalizing Problems were assessed using the Behavioural Assessment System for Children (BASC-2-PRS). Susceptibility in the nucleus accumbens was negatively associated with Internalizing Problems, while amygdala susceptibility was positively associated with Internalizing Problems across groups. PAE moderated the relationship between thalamus susceptibility and internalizing symptoms as well as the relationship between putamen susceptibility and externalizing symptoms. Brain volume was not related to internalizing or externalizing symptoms. These findings highlight that brain iron is related to internalizing and externalizing symptoms differently in some brain regions for youth with and without PAE. Atypical iron levels (high or low) may indicate mental health issues across individuals, and iron in the thalamus may be particularly important for behavior in individuals with PAE.
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Solar KG, Treit S, Beaulieu C. High-resolution diffusion tensor imaging identifies hippocampal volume loss without diffusion changes in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1204-1219. [PMID: 35567310 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) commonly report reduced hippocampal volumes, which animal models suggest may result from microstructural changes that include cell loss and altered myelination. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to microstructural changes but has not yet been used to study the hippocampus in PAE. METHODS Thirty-six healthy controls (19 females; 8 to 24 years) and 19 participants with PAE (8 females; 8 to 23 years) underwent high-resolution (1 mm isotropic) DTI, anatomical T1-weighted imaging, and cognitive testing. Whole-hippocampus, head, body, and tail subregions were manually segmented to yield DTI metrics (mean, axial, and radial diffusivities-MD, AD, and RD; fractional anisotropy-FA), volumes, and qualitative assessments of hippocampal morphology and digitations. Automated segmentation of T1-weighted images was used to corroborate manual whole-hippocampus volumes. RESULTS Gross morphology and digitation counts were similar in both groups. Whole-hippocampus volumes were 18% smaller in the PAE than the control group on manually traced diffusion images, but automated T1-weighted image segmentations were not significantly different. Subregion segmentation on DTI revealed reduced volumes of the body and tail, but not the head. There were no significant differences in diffusion metrics between groups for any hippocampal region. Correlations between age and volume were not significant in either group, whereas negative correlations between age and whole-hippocampus MD/AD/RD, and head/body (but not tail) MD/AD/RD were significant in both groups. There were no significant effects of sex, group by age, or group by sex for any hippocampal metric. In controls, seven positive linear correlations were found between hippocampal volume and cognition; five of these were left lateralized and included episodic and working memory, and two were right lateralized and included working memory and processing speed. In PAE, left tail MD positively correlated with executive functioning, and right head MD negatively correlated with episodic memory. CONCLUSIONS Reductions of hippocampal volumes and altered relationships with memory suggest disrupted hippocampal development in PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Grant Solar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah Treit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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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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Fiore M, Petrella C, Coriale G, Rosso P, Fico E, Ralli M, Greco A, De Vincentiis M, Minni A, Polimeni A, Vitali M, Messina MP, Ferraguti G, Tarani F, de Persis S, Ceccanti M, Tarani L. Markers of Neuroinflammation in the Serum of Prepubertal Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:854-868. [PMID: 34852752 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666211201154839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the manifestation of the damage caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), the extreme FASD manifestation, show both facial dysmorphology and mental retardation. Alcohol consumed during gestational age prejudices brain development by reducing, among others, the synthesis and release of neurotrophic factors and neuroinflammatory markers. Alcohol drinking also induces oxidative stress. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between neurotrophins, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in 12 prepubertal male and female FASD children diagnosed as FAS or partial FAS (pFAS). METHODS Accordingly, we analyzed, in the serum, the level of BDNF and NGF and the oxidative stress, as Free Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT) and Free Oxygen Radicals Defense (FORD). Moreover, serum levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, MCP-1, TGF-β, and TNF-α) involved in neuroinflammatory and oxidative processes have been investigated. RESULTS We demonstrated low serum levels of NGF and BDNF in pre-pubertal FASD children with respect to healthy controls. These changes were associated with higher serum presence of TNF- α and IL-1α. Quite interestingly, an elevation in the FORD was also found despite normal FORT levels. Moreover, we found a potentiation of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-1α1 in the analyzed female compared to male children. CONCLUSION The present investigation shows an imbalance in the peripheral neuroimmune pathways that could be used in children as early biomarkers of the deficits observed in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Coriale
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Pamela Rosso
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fico
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Societa' Italiana per il Trattamento dell'Alcolismo, Roma Italy SIFASD, Società Italiana Sindrome Feto-Alcolica, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
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Niedzwiedz-Massey VM, Douglas JC, Rafferty T, Wight PA, Kane CJM, Drew PD. Ethanol modulation of hippocampal neuroinflammation, myelination, and neurodevelopment in a postnatal mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 87:107015. [PMID: 34256161 PMCID: PMC8440486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are alarmingly common and result in significant personal and societal loss. Neuropathology of the hippocampus is common in FASD leading to aberrant cognitive function. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of ethanol on the expression of a targeted set of molecules involved in neuroinflammation, myelination, neurotransmission, and neuron function in the developing hippocampus in a postnatal model of FASD. Mice were treated with ethanol from P4-P9, hippocampi were isolated 24 h after the final treatment at P10, and mRNA levels were quantitated by qRT-PCR. We evaluated the effects of ethanol on both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules in the hippocampus and identified novel mechanisms by which ethanol induces neuroinflammation. We further demonstrated that ethanol decreased expression of molecules associated with mature oligodendrocytes and greatly diminished expression of a lacZ reporter driven by the first half of the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene (PLP1). In addition, ethanol caused a decrease in genes expressed in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Together, these studies suggest ethanol may modulate pathogenesis in the developing hippocampus through effects on cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage, resulting in altered oligodendrogenesis and myelination. We also observed differential expression of molecules important in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. Collectively, the molecules evaluated in these studies may play a role in ethanol-induced pathology in the developing hippocampus and contribute to cognitive impairment associated with FASD. A better understanding of these molecules and their effects on the developing hippocampus may lead to novel treatment strategies for FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M Niedzwiedz-Massey
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - James C Douglas
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Tonya Rafferty
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Patricia A Wight
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Cynthia J M Kane
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Paul D Drew
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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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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