scholarly journals White Matter Alterations in Young Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Author(s):  
Preeti Kar ◽  
Jess E. Reynolds ◽  
Melody N. Grohs ◽  
W. Ben Gibbard ◽  
Carly McMorris ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti Kar ◽  
Jess E. Reynolds ◽  
Melody N. Grohs ◽  
W. Ben Gibbard ◽  
Carly McMorris ◽  
...  

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and social-emotional challenges. Previous neuroimaging research has identified alterations to brain structure in newborns, older children, adolescents, and adults with PAE; however, little is known about brain structure in young children. Extensive brain development takes place during early childhood; therefore, understanding the neurological profiles of young children with PAE is critical for early identification and effective intervention. We studied 54 children (5.21 +/- 1.11 years; 27 males) with confirmed PAE compared to 54 age- and sex-matched children without PAE. Children underwent diffusion tensor imaging between 2 and 7 years of age. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained for 10 major white matter tracts, along with tract volume, axial and radial diffusivity (AD, RD). A univariate analysis of covariance was conducted to test for group differences (PAE vs. control) controlling for age, sex and tract volume. Our results reveal white matter microstructural differences between young children with PAE and unexposed controls. The PAE group had higher FA and/or lower MD (as well as lower AD and RD) in the genu and the body of the corpus callosum, as well as the bilateral uncinate fasciculus and pyramidal tracts. Our findings align with studies of newborns with PAE finding lower AD, but contrast those in older populations with PAE, which consistently report lower FA and higher MD. These findings may reflect premature development of white matter that may then plateau too early, leading to the lower FA/higher MD observed at older ages.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 2318-2329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prapti Gautam ◽  
Catherine Lebel ◽  
Katherine L. Narr ◽  
Sarah N. Mattson ◽  
Philip A. May ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christie L. McGee ◽  
Olivia A. Bjorkquist ◽  
Edward P. Riley ◽  
Sarah N. Mattson

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 2470-2482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Fan ◽  
Ernesta M. Meintjes ◽  
Christopher D. Molteno ◽  
Bruce S. Spottiswoode ◽  
Neil C. Dodge ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 153537022098039
Author(s):  
Erin Mathews ◽  
Kevyn Dewees ◽  
Deborah Diaz ◽  
Carlita Favero

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) describe a range of deficits, affecting physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioral function, arising from prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD causes widespread white matter abnormalities, with significant alterations of tracts in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus. These brain regions present with white-matter volume reductions, particularly at the midline. Neural pathways herein are guided primarily by three guidance cue families: Semaphorin/Neuropilin, Netrin/DCC, and Slit/Robo. These guidance cue/receptor pairs attract and repulse axons and ensure that they reach the proper target to make functional connections. In several cases, these signals cooperate with each other and/or additional molecular partners. Effects of alcohol on guidance cue mechanisms and their associated effectors include inhibition of growth cone response to repellant cues as well as changes in gene expression. Relevant to the corpus callosum, specifically, developmental alcohol exposure alters GABAergic and glutamatergic cell populations and glial cells that serve as guidepost cells for callosal axons. In many cases, deficits seen in FASD mirror aberrancies in guidance cue/receptor signaling. We present evidence for the need for further study on how prenatal alcohol exposure affects the formation of neural connections which may underlie disrupted functional connectivity in FASD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (Part_A) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
Elise Regehr ◽  
Katrina Kully‐Martens ◽  
Jacqueline Pei ◽  
Carmen Rasmussen ◽  
Gail Andrew

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document