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Para-limbic Structural Abnormalities Are Associated With Internalizing Symptoms in Children With Prenatal Alcohol

Alyssa M Krueger1, Donovan J Roediger1, Bryon A Mueller1

  • 1University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|June 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is linked to smaller brain volumes in key areas like the caudate. These structural changes may contribute to increased anxiety and depression symptoms in affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause brain abnormalities, particularly in the para-limbic system.
  • Children with PAE exhibit higher rates of internalizing disorders like depression and anxiety.
  • Limbic system anomalies may underlie these behavioral issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate structural brain differences in children with and without PAE.
  • To explore the relationship between brain structure and internalizing symptoms in PAE.
  • To identify specific brain regions affected by PAE.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed on 77 children (41 with PAE, 36 controls) aged 8-16.
  • Behavioral questionnaires assessed internalizing symptoms in children.
  • Semi-automated FreeSurfer software derived para-limbic volumes from T1-weighted MRI scans.

Main Results:

  • Children with PAE showed significantly smaller volumes in the caudate, hippocampus, and putamen compared to controls, even after accounting for total intracranial volume.
  • A trend-level association was observed between reduced caudate volume and increased internalizing symptoms in children with PAE.
  • Smaller caudate volumes correlated with higher reported levels of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

  • The caudate nucleus may be particularly vulnerable to structural alterations from PAE.
  • Altered caudate development due to PAE could be associated with the emergence of internalizing symptoms later in life.
  • These findings highlight potential neurobiological mechanisms linking PAE to mental health challenges.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnxietyBrainChildrenDepressionFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

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