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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neurological soft signs and disruptive behavior among children of opiate dependent parents
Jeffrey J Wilson1, Daniel S Pine, Abba Cargan
1Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. jjw109@columbia.edu
Abstract:
The present study investigates the relationship between neurological soft signs and psychiatric symptoms among children of opiate dependent parents. A consecutive series of 102 children of opiate dependent parents received standardized psychiatric and neurological assessments. Symptoms of externalizing but not internalizing disorders associated with poor performance on the soft sign exam, controlling for age, intelligence, and socioeconomic status. Given the importance of externalizing disorders in the development of substance use disorders, studies of children at high risk for substance use disorder should also consider screening and assessment of children for soft neurological signs.
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