BACKGROUND: In prenatally alcohol exposed children, the relationship between brain structure and function is highlighted to be important to study. METHODS: We studied 12 children with fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcoholic effects (FAE) by magnetic resonance imaging volumetry and by single-photon emission computed tomography with iodine-123 labeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) ([123I]nor-beta-CIT) and related these findings to those from neuropsychological and psychiatric tests. RESULTS: The absolute volumes of studied nuclei, including the brain volume, were significantly smaller in FAS/FAE children than in control patients. After normalization of volumes, significant differences were not found. Left hippocampus was smaller than the right (p<.003) but did not significantly differ from the control subjects. The children with FAS/FAE showed reduced serotonin (p=.02) in the medial frontal cortex and slightly increased striatal dopamine transporter binding. All FAS/FAE children had attention-deficit/hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD). None had depression. The internalization scores correlated with dopamine transporter binding (r=-.65; p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the serotonin (5-HT) system may be vulnerable to the effects of ethanol in utero. The high dopamine transporter levels may correlate with the ADHD findings. Reduced serotonin and increased binding of dopamine transporter are also seen in type 2 alcoholism. Some behavioral problems of FAS/FAE might be preventable by early intervention and treatment.
BACKGROUND: In prenatally alcohol exposed children, the relationship between brain structure and function is highlighted to be important to study. METHODS: We studied 12 children with fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcoholic effects (FAE) by magnetic resonance imaging volumetry and by single-photon emission computed tomography with iodine-123 labeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) ([123I]nor-beta-CIT) and related these findings to those from neuropsychological and psychiatric tests. RESULTS: The absolute volumes of studied nuclei, including the brain volume, were significantly smaller in FAS/FAE children than in control patients. After normalization of volumes, significant differences were not found. Left hippocampus was smaller than the right (p<.003) but did not significantly differ from the control subjects. The children with FAS/FAE showed reduced serotonin (p=.02) in the medial frontal cortex and slightly increased striatal dopamine transporter binding. All FAS/FAE children had attention-deficit/hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD). None had depression. The internalization scores correlated with dopamine transporter binding (r=-.65; p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the serotonin (5-HT) system may be vulnerable to the effects of ethanol in utero. The high dopamine transporter levels may correlate with the ADHD findings. Reduced serotonin and increased binding of dopamine transporter are also seen in type 2 alcoholism. Some behavioral problems of FAS/FAE might be preventable by early intervention and treatment.
Authors: Alyssa M Krueger; Donovan J Roediger; Bryon A Mueller; Christopher A Boys; Timothy J Hendrickson; Mariah J Schumacher; Sarah N Mattson; Kenneth L Jones; Edward P Riley; Kelvin O Lim; Jeffrey R Wozniak Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2020-07-01 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Patricia Jensen; Anna F Farago; Rajeshwar B Awatramani; Michael M Scott; Evan S Deneris; Susan M Dymecki Journal: Nat Neurosci Date: 2008-03-16 Impact factor: 24.884
Authors: Jeffrey R Wozniak; Bryon A Mueller; Pi-Nian Chang; Ryan L Muetzel; Lydia Caros; Kelvin O Lim Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2006-10 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Adam D Collier; Viktoriya Halkina; Soe S Min; Mia Y Roberts; Samantha D Campbell; Kaylin Camidge; Sarah F Leibowitz Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2019-07-06 Impact factor: 3.455