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Published on: August 25, 2014
Smaller subcortical volumes and cognitive deficits in children with prenatal methamphetamine exposure
Linda Chang1, Lynne M Smith, Christine LoPresti
1Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'I, HI 96813, USA. lchang@hawaii.edu
Insights
Prenatal methamphetamine (Meth) exposure may harm developing brains, leading to smaller subcortical brain volumes and cognitive deficits in children. This pilot study highlights potential neurotoxic effects on memory and attention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to substances of abuse can impact neurodevelopment.
- Methamphetamine (Meth) is a potent central nervous system stimulant with potential teratogenic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxic effects of prenatal Meth exposure on brain structure and cognitive function in children.
- To compare brain volumes and neurocognitive performance between Meth-exposed and unexposed children.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to quantify global and regional brain volumes.
- Neurocognitive assessments evaluating visual motor integration, attention, memory, and intelligence.
- Correlation analysis between brain structure volumes and cognitive performance.
Main Results:
- Meth-exposed children showed significantly smaller bilateral putamen, globus pallidus, and hippocampus volumes compared to controls.
- Poorer performance in Meth-exposed children was observed in visual motor integration, attention, verbal memory, and long-term spatial memory.
- Reduced subcortical volumes correlated with deficits in sustained attention and delayed verbal memory.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal Meth exposure is associated with significant reductions in specific subcortical brain structures.
- These structural changes correlate with measurable neurocognitive deficits in children.
- Preliminary findings suggest prenatal Meth exposure may exert neurotoxic effects on the developing brain.
Abstract:
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine possible neurotoxic effects of prenatal methamphetamine (Meth) exposure on the developing brain and on cognition. Meth-exposed children (n=13) and unexposed control subjects (n=15) were evaluated with MRI. Global brain volumes and regional brain structures were quantified. Ten Meth-exposed and nine unexposed children also completed neurocognitive assessments. Meth-exposed children scored lower on measures of visual motor integration, attention, verbal memory and long-term spatial memory. There were no differences among the groups in motor skills, short delay spatial memory or measures of non-verbal intelligence. Despite comparable whole brain volumes in each group, the Meth-exposed children had smaller putamen bilaterally (-17.7%), smaller globus pallidus (left: -27%, right: 30%), smaller hippocampus volumes (left: -19%, right: -20%) and a trend for a smaller caudate bilaterally (-13%). The reduction in these brain structures correlated with poorer performance on sustained attention and delayed verbal memory. No group differences in volumes were noted in the thalamus, midbrain or the cerebellum. In summary, compared with the control group, children exposed to Meth prenatally exhibit smaller subcortical volumes and associated neurocognitive deficits. These preliminary findings suggest prenatal Meth exposure may be neurotoxic to the developing brain.
