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Akison LK, Hayes N, Vanderpeet C, Logan J, Munn Z, Middleton P, Moritz KM, Reid N. Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med 2024; 22:467. [PMID: 39407296 PMCID: PMC11477020 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03656-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health concern, yet there is no internationally agreed set of diagnostic criteria or summary of underlying evidence to inform diagnostic decision-making. This systematic review assesses associations of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and outcomes of diagnostic assessments, providing an evidence base for the improvement of FASD diagnostic criteria. METHODS Six databases were searched (inception-February 2023). Case-controls or cohort studies examining associations between participants with/without PAE or a FASD diagnosis and the domains of physical size, dysmorphology, functional neurodevelopment and/or brain structure/neurology were included. Excluded studies were non-empirical, sample size < 10, PAE determined via biological markers only, or no suitable comparison group. Summary data were extracted and associations between outcomes and standardised levels of PAE or FASD diagnosis determined using random-effects meta-analyses. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS Of the 306 included studies, 106 reported physical size, 43 dysmorphology, 195 functional neurodevelopment and 110 structural/neurological outcomes, with 292 different outcomes examined. There was a dose-response relationship between PAE and head circumference, as well as measures of physical size, particularly at birth. There was also an association between higher PAE levels and characteristic sentinel facial dysmorphology, as well as many of the current functional neurodevelopmental outcomes considered during diagnosis. However, data were often lacking across the full range of exposures. There was a lack of evidence from studies examining PAE to support inclusion of non-sentinel dysmorphic features, social cognition, speech-sound impairments, neurological conditions, seizures, sensory processing or structural brain abnormalities (via clinical MRI) in diagnostic criteria. GRADE ratings ranged from very low to moderate certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive review provides guidance on which components are most useful to consider in the diagnostic criteria for FASD. It also highlights numerous gaps in the available evidence. Future well-designed pregnancy cohort studies should specifically focus on dose-response relationships between PAE and dysmorphology, neurodevelopment and brain structure/neurological outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42021230522.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K Akison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole Hayes
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Chelsea Vanderpeet
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, 4121, Australia
| | - Jayden Logan
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, 4121, Australia
| | - Zachary Munn
- Health Evidence Synthesis, Recommendations, and Impact (HESRI), School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Philippa Middleton
- SAHMRI Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Natasha Reid
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, 4121, Australia.
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Mitoma H, Manto M, Shaikh AG. Alcohol Toxicity in the Developing Cerebellum. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1415. [PMID: 39001305 PMCID: PMC11241390 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14131415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of ethanol on the fetus is a significant concern as an estimated 2-5% of live births may be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. This exposure can lead to various functional and structural abnormalities in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, diencephalon, and cerebellum, resulting in region-specific symptoms. The deficits relate to the motor and cognitive domains, affecting, in particular, general intelligence, attention, executive functions, language, memory, visual perception, and social skills-collectively called the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Recent studies suggest that damage to the developing cerebellum (in form of alcohol exposure) can impair the cortical targets of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical tract. This malfunction in the cerebello-cerebral loop optimization may be due to disruptions in the formation of the foundational elements of the internal model within the developing cerebellum. Alcohol exposure targets multiple nodes in the reciprocal loops between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex. Here, we examine the possibility that prenatal alcohol exposure damages the developing cerebellum and disrupts the connectivity within the cerebello-cerebral neuronal circuits, exacerbating FASD-related cortical dysfunctions. We propose that malfunctions between cerebellar internal model (critically involved in predictions) and cerebral regions contribute to the deficits observed in FASD. Given the major role of the cerebellum in motor, cognitive, and affective functions, we suggest that therapies should target these malfunctions to mitigate the burden of FASD. We discuss the concept of therapies oriented towards malfunctioning cerebello-cerebral loops (TOMCCLs), emphasizing anti-inflammatory strategies and treatments aimed at modulating cerebellar myelination to restore optimal and predictive cerebello-cerebral functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Mitoma
- Medical Education Promotion Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Mario Manto
- Unité des Ataxies Cérébelleuses, Service de Neurologie, CHU-Charleroi, 6000 Charleroi, Belgium
- Service des Neurosciences, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Aasef G Shaikh
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Meombe Mbolle A, Thapa S, Bukiya AN, Jiang H. High-resolution imaging in studies of alcohol effect on prenatal development. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:10790. [PMID: 37593366 PMCID: PMC10433240 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.10790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome represents the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation. FAS is on the most severe side of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders that stem from the deleterious effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Affecting as many as 1 to 5 out of 100 children, FASD most often results in brain abnormalities that extend to structure, function, and cerebral hemodynamics. The present review provides an analysis of high-resolution imaging techniques that are used in animals and human subjects to characterize PAE-driven changes in the developing brain. Variants of magnetic resonance imaging such as magnetic resonance microscopy, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, along with positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and photoacoustic imaging, are modalities that are used to study the influence of PAE on brain structure and function. This review briefly describes the aforementioned imaging modalities, the main findings that were obtained using each modality, and touches upon the advantages/disadvantages of each imaging approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Meombe Mbolle
- Department Medical Engineering, College of Engineering and Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Shiwani Thapa
- Department Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Anna N. Bukiya
- Department Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Huabei Jiang
- Department Medical Engineering, College of Engineering and Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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Brown J, Jonason A, Asp E, McGinn V, Carter MN, Spiller V, Jozan A. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and confabulation in psycholegal settings: A beginner's guide for criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal interviewers. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2022; 40:46-86. [PMID: 34689366 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioral conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Impairments caused by PAE contribute to the over-representation of individuals with FASD in the United States juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. These same impairments can equally impact on individuals with FASD who are witnesses to or victims of crime who also have to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. Difficulties include increased susceptibility to confabulation throughout the legal process that, in turn, can contribute to increased rates of poor outcomes including false confessions and wrongful convictions. Individuals with FASD are particularity at risk of confabulation when they are subjected to tactics, such as stressful and anxiety-provoking situations, threats, and leading, suggestive, or coercive questioning. Many professionals in the forensic context are unfamiliar with FASD or related confabulation risk and may unintentionally utilize tactics that intensify impacts of pre-existing impairment. This article serves as a beginner's guide for professionals working in criminal justice settings by (a) providing research-based overviews of FASD and confabulation, (b) describing how FASD may lead to confabulation, and (c) suggesting ways that professionals can modify protocols when interacting with individuals with FASD. Suggestions in this article hold the potential to decrease the risk of confabulation in the criminal justice system and decrease problematic outcomes, such as false confessions and wrongful convictions among individuals with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerrod Brown
- Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alec Jonason
- Department of Psychology, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Wesley & Lorene Artz Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erik Asp
- Department of Psychology, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Wesley & Lorene Artz Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Valerie McGinn
- The FASD Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Megan N Carter
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Social and Health Services, Special Commitment Center, Steilacoom, Washington, USA
| | | | - Amy Jozan
- American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Newville J, Howard TA, Chavez GJ, Valenzuela CF, Cunningham LA. Persistent myelin abnormalities in a third trimester-equivalent mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:77-86. [PMID: 34825395 PMCID: PMC8799509 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal diffusion within white matter (WM) tracts has been linked to cognitive impairment in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Whether changes to myelin organization and structure underlie the observed abnormal diffusion patterns remains unknown. Using a third trimester-equivalent mouse model of alcohol exposure, we previously demonstrated acute loss of oligodendrocyte lineage cells with persistent loss of myelin basic protein and lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum (CC). Here, we tested whether these WM deficits are accompanied by changes in: (i) axial diffusion (AD) and radial diffusion (RD), (ii) myelin ultrastructure, or (iii) structural components of the node of Ranvier. METHODS Mouse pups were exposed to alcohol or air vapor for 4 h daily from postnatal day (P)3 to P15 (BEC: 160.4 ± 12.0 mg/dl; range = 128.2 to 185.6 mg/dl). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and histological analyses were performed on brain tissue isolated at P50. Diffusion parameters were measured with Paravision™ 5.1 software (Bruker) following ex vivo scanning in a 7.0 T MRI. Nodes of Ranvier were identified using high-resolution confocal imaging of immunofluorescence for Nav 1.6 (nodes) and Caspr (paranodes) and measured using Imaris™ imaging software (Bitplane). Myelin ultrastructure was evaluated by calculating the G-ratio (axonal diameter/myelinated fiber diameter) on images acquired using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Consistent with our previous study, high resolution DTI at P50 showed lower FA in the CC of alcohol-exposed mice (p = 0.0014). Here, we show that while AD (diffusion parallel to CC axons) was similar between treatment groups (p = 0.30), RD (diffusion perpendicular to CC axons) in alcohol-exposed subjects was significantly higher than in controls (p = 0.0087). In the posterior CC, where we identified the highest degree of abnormal diffusion, node of Ranvier length did not differ between treatment groups (p = 0.41); however, the G-ratio of myelinated axons was significantly higher in alcohol-exposed animals than controls (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS High resolution DTI revealed higher RD at P50 in the CC of alcohol-exposed animals, suggesting less myelination of axons, particularly in the posterior regions. In agreement with these findings, ultrastructural analysis of myelinated axons in the posterior CC showed reduced myelin thickness in alcohol-exposed animals, evidenced by a higher G-ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Newville
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Tamara A. Howard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Glenna J. Chavez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - C. Fernando Valenzuela
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Lee Anna Cunningham
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
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Lewis CE, Thomas KGF, Ofen N, Warton CMR, Robertson F, Lindinger NM, Molteno CD, Meintjes EM, Jacobson JL, Jacobson SW. An fMRI investigation of neural activation predicting memory formation in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 30:102532. [PMID: 33636539 PMCID: PMC7918676 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Expected brain regions activated during memory formation in FASD and Control children. Prenatal alcohol predicted differences in brain activations during memory formation. More extensive neural activation during successful memory formation in FAS/PFAS group.
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with physical anomalies, growth restriction, and a range of neurobehavioral deficits. Although declarative memory impairment has been documented extensively in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), this cognitive process has been examined in only one functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, and mechanisms underlying this impairment are not well understood. We used an event-related fMRI design to examine neural activations during visual scene encoding that predict subsequent scene memory in 51 right-handed children (age range = 10–14 years, M = 11.3, SD = 1.3) whose mothers had been recruited and interviewed prospectively about their alcohol use during pregnancy. Following examination by expert dysmorphologists, children were assigned to one of three FASD diagnostic groups: FAS/PFAS (nFAS = 7; nPFAS = 4), nonsyndromal heavily exposed (HE; n = 14), and Controls (n = 26). Subsequent memory was assessed in a post-scan recognition test, and subsequent memory activations were examined by contrasting activations during encoding of scenes that were subsequently remembered (hits) to those for incorrectly judged as ‘new’ (misses). Recognition accuracy did not differ between groups. Pooled across groups, we observed extensive bilateral subsequent memory effects in regions including the hippocampal formation, posterior parietal cortex, and occipital cortex—a pattern consistent with previous similar studies of typically developing children. Critically, in the group of children with FAS or PFAS, we observed activations in several additional regions compared to HE and Control groups. Given the absence of between-group differences in recognition accuracy, these data suggest that in achieving similar memory compared to children in the HE and Control groups, children with FAS and PFAS recruit more extensive neural resources to achieve successful memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Lewis
- ACSENT Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychology, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Kevin G F Thomas
- ACSENT Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Noa Ofen
- Life-Span Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Department of Psychology, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Christopher M R Warton
- Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frances Robertson
- MRC/UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadine M Lindinger
- ACSENT Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychology, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher D Molteno
- Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ernesta M Meintjes
- MRC/UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joseph L Jacobson
- Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sandra W Jacobson
- Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa; Child Development Research Laboratory, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Relationship Between Task-Based and Parent Report-Based Measures of Attention and Executive Function in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2020; 6:176-188. [PMID: 33585167 DOI: 10.1007/s40817-020-00089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A majority of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have demonstrated attention and executive function deficits as measured by both parent report measures and performance on tasks requiring sustained levels of attention. However, prior studies have consistently reported a lack of association between parental report-based and task-based performance measures. The current study investigated whether changes in performance over time within-task (i.e., first-half versus second-half) better correspond to parental reports of executive function and temperament in children with FASD. Greater differences in split-half performance during a continuous performance task were found to be associated with higher parent-reported levels of behavioral regulation and inhibitory control. These findings suggest that within-task performance differences may more accurately reflect individual differences in executive function and temperament as measured by parental report and help to further inform the way in which cognitive processes are measured in children with FASD.
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Madarnas C, Villalba NM, Soriano D, Brusco A. Anxious Behavior of Adult CD1 Mice Perinatally Exposed to Low Concentrations of Ethanol Correlates With Morphological Changes in Cingulate Cortex and Amygdala. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:92. [PMID: 32636737 PMCID: PMC7319189 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure is associated with high incidence of behavioral disorders such as depression and anxiety. The cerebral areas related with these consequences involve the corticolimbic system, in particular the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate cortex, although the latter has not been thoroughly studied yet. Different animal models of prenatal or perinatal EtOH exposure have reported morphofunctional alterations in the central nervous system, which could explain behavioral disorders along life; these results focus on youth and adolescents and are still controversial. In the light of these inconclusive results, the aim of this work was to analyze adult behavior in CD1 mice perinatally exposed to low concentrations of EtOH (PEE) during gestation and lactation, and describe the morphology of the cingulate cortex and amygdala with a view to establishing structure/function/behavior correlations. Primiparous CD1 female mice were exposed to EtOH 6% v/v for 20 days prior to mating and continued drinking EtOH 6% v/v during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male pups were fed food and water ad libitum until 77 days of age, when behavioral and morphological studies were performed. Mouse behavior was analyzed through light–dark box and open field tests. Parameters related to anxious behavior and locomotor activity revealed anxiogenic behavior in PEE mice. After behavioral studies, mice were perfused and neurons, axons, serotonin transporter, 5HT, CB1 receptor (CB1R) and 5HT1A receptor (5HT1AR) were studied by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in brain sections containing cingulate cortex and amygdala. Cingulate cortex and amygdala cytoarchitecture were preserved in adult PEE mice, although a smaller number of neurons was detected in the amygdala. Cingulate cortex axons demonstrated disorganized radial distribution and reduced area. Serotonergic and endocannabinoid systems, both involved in anxious behavior, showed differential expression. Serotonergic afferents were lower in both brain areas of PEE animals, while 5HT1AR expression was lower in the cingulate cortex and higher in the amygdala. The expression of CB1R was lower only in the amygdala. In sum, EtOH exposure during early brain development induces morphological changes in structures of the limbic system and its neuromodulation, which persist into adulthood and may be responsible for anxious behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Madarnas
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nerina Mariel Villalba
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Delia Soriano
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia Brusco
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Impact of early life adversities on human brain functioning: A coordinate-based meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:62-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Boon HJ. What do ADHD Neuroimaging Studies Reveal for Teachers, Teacher Educators and Inclusive Education? CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-019-09542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Khoury JE, Milligan K. Comparing Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis. J Atten Disord 2019; 23:1801-1815. [PMID: 26729621 DOI: 10.1177/1087054715622016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are associated with a range of neurocognitive impairments. Executive functioning deficits are a hallmark feature of both disorders. Method: The present meta-analysis was undertaken to disentangle the behavioral phenotype of FASD and ADHD by quantitatively differentiating executive functioning differences between these two groups. The current meta-analysis reviews 15 studies comparing children and adolescents with FASD and ADHD to typically developing (TD) samples, on a variety of executive function measures. Results: Results indicate that when compared with TD samples, FASD and ADHD samples demonstrate significant executive function deficits (d = 0.82 and d = 0.55, respectively). In addition, FASD samples experience significantly greater deficits when compared with ADHD samples (d = 0.25). Results were moderated by IQ and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: These findings further our understanding of the cognitive differences between FASD and ADHD samples and have the potential to influence future basic research, assessment, and intervention.
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Mattson SN, Bernes GA, Doyle LR. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Review of the Neurobehavioral Deficits Associated With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:1046-1062. [PMID: 30964197 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In utero alcohol exposure can disrupt the development of the fetal brain and result in a wide range of neurobehavioral outcomes collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure, including domains of general intelligence, executive functioning, language development, learning and memory, adaptive functioning, academic performance, and concurrent psychopathology. In addition, the current status of the neurobehavioral profile of FASD and its potential as a diagnostic tool will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Mattson
- Center for Behavioral Teratology and Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Gemma A Bernes
- Center for Behavioral Teratology and Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Lauren R Doyle
- Center for Behavioral Teratology and Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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Barrett CE, Kable JA, Madsen TE, Hsu CC, Coles CD. The Use of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Differentiate Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Impairment. Dev Neuropsychol 2019; 44:203-219. [PMID: 30661412 PMCID: PMC6423538 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2019.1567734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxygenated (HBO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HBR) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to determine if PFC activity during a cognitive inhibition task distinguishes children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE, n = 26) from both typically developing controls (n = 19) and a contrast group of children with other neurobehavioral problems (n = 14). Despite showing evidence of increased PFC activity in the non-inhibitory condition relative to controls, children in the PAE group displayed reduced PFC HBO and increased HBR relative to both other groups in the inhibitory condition, suggesting reduced PFC activity but increased oxygen consumption without sufficient oxygen replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Barrett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Julie A. Kable
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Teresa E Madsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Chia-Chun Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Claire D. Coles
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
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Woods KJ, Thomas KGF, Molteno CD, Jacobson JL, Jacobson SW, Meintjes EM. Prenatal alcohol exposure affects brain function during place learning in a virtual environment differently in boys and girls. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e01103. [PMID: 30350411 PMCID: PMC6236232 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although performance deficits in place learning have been reported in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), neural correlates of these deficits have not been investigated. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of 57 children (41 alcohol-exposed; 16 controls; mean age = 9.4 years; 29 boys) examined effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on place learning in a virtual environment, the computer-generated (CG) arena. METHODS Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired while children passively viewed a recording of an experimenter completing the task. Visible-target blocks involved navigation to a visible platform. During invisible-target blocks, the platform appeared only when the experimenter moved over it. After the scan, all children performed a post-test during which they had to navigate to the location of the invisible platform. RESULTS Although there were no group differences in post-test performance for sex or FASD diagnosis, PAE in boys was associated with poorer performance and reduced activation in the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), precuneus, posterior cingulate, frontal and temporal lobes, caudate, insula, claustrum, lentiform nucleus, and thalamus. By contrast, PAE was not associated with performance or activation in any regions in girls. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Girls and boys are known to use different navigation strategies. Boys rely more on an allocentric navigational strategy and girls more on landmarks. Poorer recruitment of the PHG, a region known to mediate allocentric navigation, in more heavily exposed boys may explain the observed dose-dependent place learning deficit. The absence of PAE effects in girls suggests that landmark-based navigational strategies may be less affected by alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri J. Woods
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human BiologyFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- UCT Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kevin G. F. Thomas
- UCT Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Cape TownSouth Africa
| | - Christopher D. Molteno
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
| | - Joseph L. Jacobson
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human BiologyFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeurosciencesWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMichigan
| | - Sandra W. Jacobson
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human BiologyFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeurosciencesWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMichigan
| | - Ernesta M. Meintjes
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human BiologyFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- UCT Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth Africa
- Cape Universities Body Imaging CentreUniversity of Cape TownSouth Africa
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15
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Montgomery KS, Bancroft EA, Fincher AS, Migut EA, Provasek V, Murchison D, DuBois DW. Effects of ethanol and varenicline on female Sprague-Dawley rats in a third trimester model of fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol 2018; 71:75-87. [PMID: 30059955 PMCID: PMC6223131 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal ethanol exposure disrupts a variety of developmental processes in neurons important for establishing a healthy brain. These ethanol-induced impairments known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are not fully understood, and currently, there is no effective treatment. Further, growing evidence suggests that adult females are more susceptible to ethanol, with the effects of perinatal ethanol exposure also being sexually divergent. Female models have been historically underutilized in neurophysiological investigations, but here, we used a third-trimester binge-ethanol model of FASD to examine changes to basal forebrain (BF) physiology and behavior in female Sprague-Dawley rats. We also tested varenicline as a potential cholinomimetic therapeutic. Rat pups were gavage-treated with binge-like ethanol, varenicline and ethanol, and varenicline alone. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology in BF slices, we observed that binge-ethanol exposure increased spontaneous post-synaptic current (sPSC) frequency. Varenicline exposure alone also enhanced sPSC frequency. Varenicline plus ethanol co-treatment prevented the sPSC frequency increase. Changes in BF synaptic transmission persisted into adolescence after binge-ethanol treatment. Behaviorally, binge-ethanol treated females displayed increased anxiety (thigmotaxis) and demonstrated learning deficits in the water maze. Varenicline/ethanol co-treatment was effective at reducing these behavioral deficits. In the open field, ethanol-treated rats displayed longer distances traveled and spent less time in the center of the open field box. Co-treated rats displayed less anxiety, demonstrating a possible effect of varenicline on this measure. In conclusion, ethanol-induced changes in both BF synaptic transmission and behavior were reduced by varenicline in female rats, supporting a role for cholinergic therapeutics in FASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karienn S Montgomery
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Eric A Bancroft
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Annette S Fincher
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Ewelina A Migut
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Vincent Provasek
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - David Murchison
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Dustin W DuBois
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States.
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16
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Georgieff MK, Tran PV, Carlson ES. Atypical fetal development: Fetal alcohol syndrome, nutritional deprivation, teratogens, and risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopathology. Dev Psychopathol 2018; 30:1063-1086. [PMID: 30068419 PMCID: PMC6074054 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579418000500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the fetal environment plays an important role in brain development and sets the brain on a trajectory across the life span. An abnormal fetal environment results when factors that should be present during a critical period of development are absent or when factors that should not be in the developing brain are present. While these factors may acutely disrupt brain function, the real cost to society resides in the long-term effects, which include important mental health issues. We review the effects of three factors, fetal alcohol exposure, teratogen exposure, and nutrient deficiencies, on the developing brain and the consequent risk for developmental psychopathology. Each is reviewed with respect to the evidence found in epidemiological and clinical studies in humans as well as preclinical molecular and cellular studies that explicate mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Phu V Tran
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine
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17
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Wozniak JR, Mueller BA, Mattson SN, Coles CD, Kable JA, Jones KL, Boys CJ, Lim KO, Riley EP, Sowell ER. Functional connectivity abnormalities and associated cognitive deficits in fetal alcohol Spectrum disorders (FASD). Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 11:1432-1445. [PMID: 27734306 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-016-9624-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Consistent with well-documented structural and microstructural abnormalities in prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), recent studies suggest that functional connectivity (FC) may also be disrupted. We evaluated whole-brain FC in a large multi-site sample, examined its cognitive correlates, and explored its potential to objectively identify neurodevelopmental abnormality in individuals without definitive dysmorphic features. Included were 75 children with PAE and 68 controls from four sites. All participants had documented heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. All underwent a formal evaluation of physical anomalies and dysmorphic facial features. MRI data were collected using modified matched protocols on three platforms (Siemens, GE, and Philips). Resting-state FC was examined using whole-brain graph theory metrics to characterize each individual's connectivity. Although whole-brain FC metrics did not discriminate prenatally-exposed from unexposed overall, atypical FC (> 1 standard deviation from the grand mean) was significantly more common (2.7 times) in the PAE group vs. CONTROLS In a subset of 55 individuals (PAE and controls) whose dysmorphology examination could not definitively characterize them as either Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or non-FAS, atypical FC was seen in 27 % of the PAE group, but 0 % of controls. Across participants, a 1 % difference in local network efficiency was associated with a 36 point difference in global cognitive functioning. Whole-brain FC metrics have potential to identify individuals with objective neurodevelopmental abnormalities from prenatal alcohol exposure. When applied to individuals unable to be classified as FAS or non-FAS from dysmorphology alone, these measures separate prenatally-exposed from non-exposed with high specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, F282/2A West, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, F282/2A West, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth L Jones
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Christopher J Boys
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, F282/2A West, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, F282/2A West, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth R Sowell
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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18
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Aoki Y, Cortese S, Castellanos FX. Research Review: Diffusion tensor imaging studies of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: meta-analyses and reflections on head motion. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2018; 59:193-202. [PMID: 28671333 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor imaging studies have shown atypical fractional anisotropy (FA) in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), albeit with conflicting results. We performed meta-analyses of whole-brain voxel-based analyses (WBVBA) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) studies in ADHD, along with a qualitative review of TBSS studies addressing the issue of head motion, which may bias results. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search (last search on April 1st, 2016) to identify studies comparing FA values between individuals with ADHD and typically developing (TD) participants. Signed differential mapping was used to compute effect sizes and integrate WBVBA and TBSS studies, respectively. TBSS datasets reporting no between-group motion differences were identified. RESULTS We identified 14 WBVBA (ADHDn = 314, TDn = 278) and 13 TBSS datasets (ADHDn = 557, TDn = 568). WBVBA meta-analysis showed both significantly lower and higher FA values in individuals with ADHD; TBSS meta-analysis showed significantly lower FA in ADHD compared with TD in four clusters: two in the corpus callosum (isthmus and posterior midbody), one in right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and one in left inferior longitudinal fasciculus. However, four of six datasets confirming no group-differences in motion showed no significant between-group FA differences. CONCLUSIONS A growing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) literature (total N = 1,717) and a plethora of apparent findings suggest atypical interhemispheric connection in ADHD. However, FA results in ADHD should be considered with caution, since many studies did not examine potential group differences in head motion, and most of the studies reporting no difference in motion showed no significant results. Future studies should address head motion as a priority and assure that groups do not differ in head motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Aoki
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Academic Unit of Psychology and Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), University of Southampton, Southampton.,Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Francisco Xavier Castellanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
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19
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Gu Y, Miao S, Han J, Liang Z, Ouyang G, Yang J, Li X. Identifying ADHD children using hemodynamic responses during a working memory task measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. J Neural Eng 2017; 15:035005. [PMID: 29199636 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aa9ee9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children and adults. Previous studies found that functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can reveal significant group differences in several brain regions between ADHD children and healthy controls during working memory tasks. This study aimed to use fNIRS activation patterns to identify ADHD children from healthy controls. APPROACH FNIRS signals from 25 ADHD children and 25 healthy controls performing the n-back task were recorded; then, multivariate pattern analysis was used to discriminate ADHD individuals from healthy controls, and classification performance was evaluated for significance by the permutation test. MAIN RESULTS The results showed that 86.0% ([Formula: see text]) of participants can be correctly classified in leave-one-out cross-validation. The most discriminative brain regions included the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior medial prefrontal cortex, right posterior prefrontal cortex, and right temporal cortex. SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrated that, in a small sample, multivariate pattern analysis can effectively identify ADHD children from healthy controls based on fNIRS signals, which argues for the potential utility of fNIRS in future assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Gu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering & Key Laboratory of Computer Vision and Systems (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, People's Republic of China
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20
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Infante MA, Moore EM, Bischoff-Grethe A, Tapert SF, Mattson SN, Riley EP. Altered functional connectivity during spatial working memory in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol 2017; 64:11-21. [PMID: 28965651 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol often have impaired spatial working memory (SWM). This study examines functional connections of frontal and parietal regions that support SWM in children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure. Children ages 10 to 16 with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (AE group; n = 18) and controls (CON group; n = 19) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a SWM task. Whole brain task-related functional connectivity of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) seed regions were estimated for each participant using a psychophysiological interaction approach. Children in the AE group were less accurate than children in the CON group when performing the SWM task (p = 0.008). Positive coupling between bilateral DLPFC seeds and regions within the fronto-parietal network was observed in the CON group, whereas the AE group showed negative connectivity. In contrast to the CON group, the AE group showed positive connectivity between PPC seeds and frontal lobe regions. Across seeds, decreased negative coupling with regions outside the fronto-parietal network (e.g., left middle occipital gyrus) were observed in the AE group relative to the CON group. Functional data clusters were considered significant at p < 0.05. Overall findings suggest that localized alterations in neural activity, aberrant fronto-parietal network synchrony, and poor coordination of neural responses with regions outside of this network may help explain SWM deficits in individuals with a history of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure.
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21
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Chudley AE. Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: current practices and future considerations. Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 96:231-236. [PMID: 28746809 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2017-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper discusses the current state of knowledge and practice for diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The strengths and challenges of different models of diagnosis are compared. Some models require a team approach for evaluation, while other approaches assume that a clinician in his or her office provides a diagnosis based on a review of the patient's medical and social history, behaviour, and physical examination. The author reviews the emergence of new information from recent advances in genetics, imaging, and electrophysiology that has the potential to lead to changes in practice and improved reliability of an FASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert E Chudley
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Manitoba, and the Children's Hospital, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Manitoba, and the Children's Hospital, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, Canada
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22
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Schambra UB, Lewis CN, Harrison TA. Deficits in spatial learning and memory in adult mice following acute, low or moderate levels of prenatal ethanol exposure during gastrulation or neurulation. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2017; 62:42-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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23
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Nguyen VT, Chong S, Tieng QM, Mardon K, Galloway GJ, Kurniawan ND. Radiological studies of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in humans and animal models: An updated comprehensive review. Magn Reson Imaging 2017. [PMID: 28645698 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders encompass a wide range of birth defects in children born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Typical mental impairments in FASD include difficulties in life adaptation and learning and memory, deficits in attention, visuospatial skills, language and speech disabilities, mood disorders and motor disabilities. Multimodal imaging methods have enabled in vivo studies of the teratogenic effects of alcohol on the central nervous system, giving more insight into the FASD phenotype. This paper offers an up-to-date comprehensive review of radiological findings in the central nervous system in studies of prenatal alcohol exposure in both humans and translational animal models, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Tomography and Ultrasonography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van T Nguyen
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
| | - Suyinn Chong
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Quang M Tieng
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karine Mardon
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Graham J Galloway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nyoman D Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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24
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Zaitsev M, Akin B, LeVan P, Knowles BR. Prospective motion correction in functional MRI. Neuroimage 2016; 154:33-42. [PMID: 27845256 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the intrinsic low sensitivity of BOLD-fMRI long scanning is required. Subject motion during fMRI scans reduces statistical significance of the activation maps and increases the prevalence of false activations. Motion correction is therefore an essential tool for a successful fMRI data analysis. Retrospective motion correction techniques are now commonplace and are incorporated into a wide range of fMRI analysis toolboxes. These techniques are advantageous due to robustness, sequence independence and have minimal impact on the fMRI study setup. Retrospective techniques however, do not provide an accurate intra-volume correction, nor can these techniques correct for the spin-history effects. The application of prospective motion correction in fMRI appears to be effective in reducing false positives and increasing sensitivity when compared to retrospective techniques, particularly in the cases of substantial motion. Especially advantageous in this regard is the combination of prospective motion correction with dynamic distortion correction. Nevertheless, none of the recent methods are able to recover activations in presence of motion that are comparable to no-motion conditions, which motivates further research in the area of adaptive dynamic imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Zaitsev
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg - Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Burak Akin
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg - Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pierre LeVan
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg - Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Knowles
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg - Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany
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25
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Stevens MC, Gaynor A, Bessette KL, Pearlson GD. A preliminary study of the effects of working memory training on brain function. Brain Imaging Behav 2016; 10:387-407. [PMID: 26138580 PMCID: PMC4698365 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-015-9416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) training improves WM ability in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but its efficacy for non-cognitive ADHD impairments ADHD has been sharply debated. The purpose of this preliminary study was to characterize WM training-related changes in ADHD brain function and see if they were linked to clinical improvement. We examined 18 adolescents diagnosed with DSM-IV Combined-subtype ADHD before and after 25 sessions of WM training using a frequently employed approach (Cogmed™) using a nonverbal Sternberg WM fMRI task, neuropsychological tests, and participant- and parent-reports of ADHD symptom severity and associated functional impairment. Whole brain SPM8 analyses identified ADHD activation deficits compared to 18 non-ADHD control participants, then tested whether impaired ADHD frontoparietal brain activation would increase following WM training. Post hoc tests examined the relationships between neural changes and neurocognitive or clinical improvements. As predicted, WM training increased WM performance, ADHD clinical functioning, and WM-related ADHD brain activity in several frontal, parietal and temporal lobe regions. Increased left inferior frontal sulcus region activity was seen in all Encoding, Maintenance, and Retrieval Sternberg task phases. ADHD symptom severity improvements were most often positively correlated with activation gains in brain regions known to be engaged for WM-related executive processing; improvement of different symptom types had different neural correlates. The responsiveness of both amodal WM frontoparietal circuits and executive process-specific WM brain regions was altered by WM training. The latter might represent a promising, relatively unexplored treatment target for researchers seeking to optimize clinical response in ongoing ADHD WM training development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Stevens
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living / Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Whitehall Building, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Alexandra Gaynor
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living / Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Whitehall Building, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA
| | - Katie L Bessette
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living / Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Whitehall Building, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA
| | - Godfrey D Pearlson
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living / Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Whitehall Building, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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26
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Kingdon D, Cardoso C, McGrath JJ. Research Review: Executive function deficits in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - a meta-analysis. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2016; 57:116-31. [PMID: 26251262 PMCID: PMC5760222 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms are common in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD and ADHD groups both display executive function impairments; however, there is ongoing debate whether the pattern and magnitude of executive function deficits differs between these two types of disorders. METHODS An electronic literature search was conducted (PubMed, PsychInfo; 1972-2013) to identify studies comparing the executive functioning of children with FASD with ADHD or control groups. FASD groups included those with and without dysmorphy (i.e., FAS, pFAS, ARND, and other FASD diagnoses). Effect sizes (Hedges' g, standardized mean difference) were calculated. Random effects meta-analytic models were performed using the metafor package for R. RESULTS Fifty-one studies met inclusion criteria (FASD N = 2,115; ADHD N = 453; controls N = 1,990). Children with FASD showed the strongest and most consistent deficits in planning, fluency, and set-shifting compared to controls (Hedges' g = -0.94, -0.78) and children with ADHD (Hedges' g = -0.72, -0.32). FASD was associated with moderate to large impairments in working memory, compared to controls (Hedges' g = -.84, -.58) and small impairments relative to groups with ADHD (Hedges' g = -.26). Smaller and less consistent deficits were found on measures of inhibition and vigilance relative to controls (Hedges' g = -0.52, -0.31); FASD and ADHD were not differentiated on these measures. Moderator analyses indicated executive dysfunction was associated with older age, dysmorphy, and larger group differences in IQ. Sex and diagnostic system were not consistently related to effect size. CONCLUSIONS While FASD is associated with global executive impairments, executive function weaknesses are most consistent for measures of planning, fluency, and set-shifting. Neuropsychological measures assessing these executive function domains may improve differential diagnosis and treatment of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Kingdon
- Department of Psychology; Concordia University; Montreal QC Canada
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27
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O'Conaill CR, Malisza KL, Buss JL, Bolster RB, Clancy C, de Gervai PD, Chudley AE, Longstaffe S. Visual search for feature conjunctions: an fMRI study comparing alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) to ADHD. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:10. [PMID: 25750685 PMCID: PMC4351830 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9106-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) falls under the umbrella of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Diagnosis of ARND is difficult because individuals do not demonstrate the characteristic facial features associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). While attentional problems in ARND are similar to those found in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the underlying impairment in attention pathways may be different. METHODS Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was conducted at 3 T. Sixty-three children aged 10 to 14 years diagnosed with ARND, ADHD, and typically developing (TD) controls performed a single-feature and a feature-conjunction visual search task. RESULTS Dorsal and ventral attention pathways were activated during both attention tasks in all groups. Significantly greater activation was observed in ARND subjects during a single-feature search as compared to TD and ADHD groups, suggesting ARND subjects require greater neural recruitment to perform this simple task. ARND subjects appear unable to effectively use the very efficient automatic perceptual 'pop-out' mechanism employed by TD and ADHD groups during presentation of the disjunction array. By comparison, activation was lower in ARND compared to TD and ADHD subjects during the more difficult conjunction search task as compared to the single-feature search. Analysis of DTI data using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) showed areas of significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) in ARND compared to TD subjects. Damage to the white matter of the ILF may compromise the ventral attention pathway and may require subjects to use the dorsal attention pathway, which is associated with effortful top-down processing, for tasks that should be automatic. Decreased functional activity in the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) of ARND subjects may be due to a reduction in the white matter tract's ability to efficiently convey information critical to performance of the attention tasks. CONCLUSIONS Limited activation patterns in ARND suggest problems in information processing along the ventral frontoparietal attention pathway. Poor integrity of the ILF, which connects the functional components of the ventral attention network, in ARND subjects may contribute to the attention deficits characteristic of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie R O'Conaill
- Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, 432 Basic Medical Sciences Bldg, 745 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
| | - Krisztina L Malisza
- Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, 432 Basic Medical Sciences Bldg, 745 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada ; Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P404 Duff Roblin Bldg, 190 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada ; National Research Council of Canada - Institute for Biodiagnostics, 435 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1Y6 Canada
| | - Joan L Buss
- Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, 432 Basic Medical Sciences Bldg, 745 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
| | - R Bruce Bolster
- Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, R3B 2E9 Canada
| | - Christine Clancy
- Division of Rehabilitation Psychology, Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Patricia Dreessen de Gervai
- National Research Council of Canada - Institute for Biodiagnostics, 435 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1Y6 Canada
| | - Albert E Chudley
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Manitoba, 336 Basic Medical Sciences Bldg, 745 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E OJ9 Canada ; Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, 336 Basic Medical Sciences Bldg, 745 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E OJ9 Canada
| | - Sally Longstaffe
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, CE-203 Children's Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1 Canada
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Sex-related differences in auditory processing in adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A magnetoencephalographic study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2014; 7:571-87. [PMID: 26082886 PMCID: PMC4459049 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Children exposed to substantial amounts of alcohol in utero display a broad range of morphological and behavioral outcomes, which are collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Common to all children on the spectrum are cognitive and behavioral problems that reflect central nervous system dysfunction. Little is known, however, about the potential effects of variables such as sex on alcohol-induced brain damage. The goal of the current research was to utilize magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine the effect of sex on brain dynamics in adolescents and young adults with FASD during the performance of an auditory oddball task. The stimuli were short trains of 1 kHz “standard” tone bursts (80%) randomly interleaved with 1.5 kHz “target” tone bursts (10%) and “novel” digital sounds (10%). Participants made motor responses to the target tones. Results are reported for 44 individuals (18 males and 26 females) ages 12 through 22 years. Nine males and 13 females had a diagnosis of FASD and the remainder were typically-developing age- and sex-matched controls. The main finding was widespread sex-specific differential activation of the frontal, medial and temporal cortex in adolescents with FASD compared to typically developing controls. Significant differences in evoked-response and time–frequency measures of brain dynamics were observed for all stimulus types in the auditory cortex, inferior frontal sulcus and hippocampus. These results underscore the importance of considering the influence of sex when analyzing neurophysiological data in children with FASD. MEG study of auditory oddball task for 22 adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and 22 controls Auditory N100m evoked-response latency differences for adolescent FASD opposite to those of very young FASD Widespread sex-specific differential activation of the frontal, medial and temporal cortex in FASD compared to controls Observed differences in evoked-response and oscillatory activity expand the set of potential markers for FASD. The findings underscore the importance of considering sex when analyzing neurophysiological data in adolescents with FAS.
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Ware AL, Infante MA, O'Brien JW, Tapert SF, Jones KL, Riley EP, Mattson SN. An fMRI study of behavioral response inhibition in adolescents with and without histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Behav Brain Res 2014; 278:137-46. [PMID: 25281280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure results in a range of deficits, including both volumetric and functional changes in brain regions involved in response inhibition such as the prefrontal cortex and striatum. The current study examined blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during a stop signal task in adolescents (ages 13-16 y) with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (AE, n=21) and controls (CON, n=21). Task performance was measured using percent correct inhibits during three difficulty conditions: easy, medium, and hard. Group differences in BOLD response relative to baseline motor responding were examined across all inhibition trials and for each difficulty condition separately. The contrast between hard and easy trials was analyzed to determine whether increasing task difficulty affected BOLD response. Groups had similar task performance and demographic characteristics, except for full scale IQ scores (AE<CON). The AE group demonstrated greater BOLD response in frontal, sensorimotor, striatal, and cingulate regions relative to controls, especially as task difficulty increased. When contrasting hard vs. easy inhibition trials, the AE group showed greater medial/superior frontal and cuneus BOLD response than controls. Results were unchanged after demographics and FAS diagnosis were statistically controlled. This was the first fMRI study to utilize a stop signal task, isolating fronto-striatal functioning, to assess response inhibition and the effects task difficulty in adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure. Results suggest that heavy prenatal alcohol exposure disrupts neural function of this circuitry, resulting in immature cognitive processing and motor-association learning and neural compensation during response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Ware
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - M Alejandra Infante
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Jessica W O'Brien
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Susan F Tapert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Kenneth Lyons Jones
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Edward P Riley
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Sarah N Mattson
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
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Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for somatic, behavioral, and neurological abnormalities. Affected individuals exhibit a wide range of such features referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These are characterized by a more or less specific pattern of minor facial dysmorphic features, growth deficiency and central nervous system symptoms. Nevertheless, whereas the diagnosis of the full-blown fetal alcohol syndrome does not pose a major challenge, only a tentative diagnosis of FASD can be reached if only mild features are present and/or maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy cannot be verified. The respective disorders have lifelong implications. The teratogenic mechanisms induced by PAE can lead to various additional somatic findings and structural abnormalities of cerebrum and cerebellum. At the functional level, cognition, motor coordination, attention, language development, executive functions, memory, social perception and emotion processing are impaired to a variable extent. The long-term development is characterized by disruption and failure in many domains; an age-adequate independency is frequently not achieved. In addition to primary prevention, individual therapeutic interventions and tertiary prevention are warranted; provision of extensive education to affected subjects and their caregivers is crucial. Protective environments are often required to prevent negative consequences such as delinquency, indebtedness or experience of physical/sexual abuse.
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Gautam P, Nuñez SC, Narr KL, Mattson SN, May PA, Adnams CM, Riley EP, Jones KL, Kan EC, Sowell ER. Developmental Trajectories for Visuo-Spatial Attention are Altered by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Longitudinal FMRI Study. Cereb Cortex 2014; 25:4761-71. [PMID: 25092900 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals brain activation abnormalities during visuo-spatial attention and working memory among those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in cross-sectional reports, but little is known about how activation changes over time during development within FASD or typically developing children. We studied 30 controls and 31 individuals with FASD over 2 years (7-14 years at first participation) with a total of 122 scans, as part of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Despite comparable performance, there were significant group differences in visuo-spatial activation over time bilaterally in frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. Controls showed an increase in signal intensity in these multiple regions whereas FASD participants showed a decrease in brain activation. Effects were also found in 2 small independent samples from the USA, corroborating the findings from the larger group. Results suggest that the long-lasting effect of prenatal alcohol may impact the maturation of visuo-spatial attention and differentiate those with FASD from controls. Based on this first longitudinal fMRI study in FASD children, our novel findings suggest a possible neural mechanism for attention deficits common among individuals with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gautam
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at USC/Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S C Nuñez
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at USC/Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K L Narr
- Department of Neurology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S N Mattson
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - P A May
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Nutrition Research Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - C M Adnams
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - E P Riley
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - K L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - E C Kan
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at USC/Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - E R Sowell
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at USC/Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Moore EM, Migliorini R, Infante MA, Riley EP. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Recent Neuroimaging Findings. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2014; 1:161-172. [PMID: 25346882 DOI: 10.1007/s40474-014-0020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the identification of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome over 40 years ago, much has been learned about the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing brain. This review highlights recent neuroimaging studies, within the context of previous work. Structural magnetic resonance imaging has described morphological differences in the brain and their relationships to cognitive deficits and measures of facial dysmorphology. Diffusion tensor imaging has elaborated on the relationship between white matter microstructure and behavior. Atypical neuromaturation across childhood and adolescence has been observed in longitudinal neuroimaging studies. Functional imaging has revealed differences in neural activation patterns underlying sensory processing, cognition and behavioral deficits. A recent functional connectivity analysis demonstrates reductions in global network efficiency. Despite this progress much remains unknown about the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain, and continued research efforts are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Moore
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120
| | - Robyn Migliorini
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120 ; SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA 92120
| | - M Alejandra Infante
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120 ; SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA 92120
| | - Edward P Riley
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120 ; Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
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Glass L, Ware AL, Mattson SN. Neurobehavioral, neurologic, and neuroimaging characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 125:435-462. [PMID: 25307589 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-62619-6.00025-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have deleterious consequences for the fetus, including changes in central nervous system development leading to permanent neurologic alterations and cognitive and behavioral deficits. Individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, including those with and without fetal alcohol syndrome, are identified under the umbrella of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). While studies of humans and animal models confirm that even low to moderate levels of exposure can have detrimental effects, critical doses of such exposure have yet to be specified and the most clinically significant and consistent consequences occur following heavy exposure. These consequences are pervasive, devastating, and can result in long-term dysfunction. This chapter summarizes the neurobehavioral, neurologic, and neuroimaging characteristics of FASD, focusing primarily on clinical research of individuals with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure, although studies of lower levels of exposure, particularly prospective, longitudinal studies, will be discussed where relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Glass
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ashley L Ware
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sarah N Mattson
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
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