Lauren R Doyle1, Leila Glass2, Jeffrey R Wozniak3, Julie A Kable4, Edward P Riley1, Claire D Coles4,5, Elizabeth R Sowell6, Kenneth Lyons Jones7, Sarah N Mattson1. 1. Center for Behavioral Teratology and Department of Psychology , San Diego State University, San Diego, California. 2. Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior , University of California, Los Angeles, California. 3. Department of Psychiatry , University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 4. Department of Pediatrics , Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 5. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 6. Department of Pediatrics , Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. 7. Department of Pediatrics , San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Youth with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure have high rates of behavioral concerns and psychopathology, including increased oppositional and conduct behaviors. The relation between those concerns and executive function (EF) deficits is unknown. We investigated the association of oppositional and conduct behavior and EF in adolescents to inform targeted intervention. METHODS: Subjects (N = 267) ages 10 to 17 years comprised 3 groups: alcohol-exposed with oppositional/conduct behaviors (AE+), alcohol-exposed without oppositional/conduct behaviors (AE-), and controls (CON). Group differences on direct neuropsychological (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System [D-KEFS]) and indirect parent-report (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF]) EF measures were tested with multivariate analysis of covariances, followed by univariate analysis of variances and pairwise comparisons. The contribution of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) within the AE groups was assessed in secondary analyses. RESULTS: On the D-KEFS, there was an omnibus main effect of group, with significant main effects on 3 of 6 variables (CON>AE+, AE-). Within the AE groups, ADHD did not alter the results. On the BRIEF, there was an omnibus significant main effect of group, with significant main effects on all scales (CON<AE-<AE+). Within the AE groups, the AE+ group had higher BRIEF scores (i.e., more difficulty) than the AE- group on 4 of 8 subscales when accounting for presence of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: EF deficits in youth with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure were confirmed using direct and indirect measures. Oppositional/conduct behaviors related to EF deficits on indirect but not direct EF measures. Greater understanding of the contribution of concurrent psychopathology to long-term outcomes for alcohol-exposed youth requires further investigation.
BACKGROUND: Youth with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure have high rates of behavioral concerns and psychopathology, including increased oppositional and conduct behaviors. The relation between those concerns and executive function (EF) deficits is unknown. We investigated the association of oppositional and conduct behavior and EF in adolescents to inform targeted intervention. METHODS: Subjects (N = 267) ages 10 to 17 years comprised 3 groups: alcohol-exposed with oppositional/conduct behaviors (AE+), alcohol-exposed without oppositional/conduct behaviors (AE-), and controls (CON). Group differences on direct neuropsychological (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System [D-KEFS]) and indirect parent-report (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF]) EF measures were tested with multivariate analysis of covariances, followed by univariate analysis of variances and pairwise comparisons. The contribution of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) within the AE groups was assessed in secondary analyses. RESULTS: On the D-KEFS, there was an omnibus main effect of group, with significant main effects on 3 of 6 variables (CON>AE+, AE-). Within the AE groups, ADHD did not alter the results. On the BRIEF, there was an omnibus significant main effect of group, with significant main effects on all scales (CON<AE-<AE+). Within the AE groups, the AE+ group had higher BRIEF scores (i.e., more difficulty) than the AE- group on 4 of 8 subscales when accounting for presence of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS:EF deficits in youth with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure were confirmed using direct and indirect measures. Oppositional/conduct behaviors related to EF deficits on indirect but not direct EF measures. Greater understanding of the contribution of concurrent psychopathology to long-term outcomes for alcohol-exposed youth requires further investigation.
Authors: Erik G Willcutt; Alysa E Doyle; Joel T Nigg; Stephen V Faraone; Bruce F Pennington Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2005-06-01 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Gemma A Bernes; Miguel Villodas; Claire D Coles; Julie A Kable; Philip A May; Wendy O Kalberg; Elizabeth R Sowell; Kenneth L Jones; Edward P Riley; Sarah N Mattson Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2021-02-15 Impact factor: 3.455