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Neurophysiological correlates of memory change in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders treated with choline
Anita J Fuglestad1, Neely C Miller2, Birgit A Fink3
1Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States.
Insights
Choline supplementation in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) showed a link between memory performance and brain activity. Further research is needed to confirm choline
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Animal models suggest choline supplementation can mitigate Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) related deficits.
- Previous research indicated postnatal choline improved recognition memory in children with FASD.
- This study investigates the neurophysiological basis of that observed memory improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the neurophysiological correlates of improved recognition memory in children with FASD following choline supplementation.
- To examine the relationship between event-related potentials (ERPs) and memory performance in children with FASD.
Main Methods:
- Followed 24 children with FASD for 9 months in a choline supplementation trial.
- Assessed recognition memory using delayed recall on a 9-step elicited imitation task.
- Measured neurophysiological correlates of memory using event-related potentials (ERPs).
Main Results:
- Delayed recall memory performance correlated significantly with specific ERP components (Nc amplitude and PSW area under the curve).
- Observed correlations suggest a link between memory function and neurophysiological activity in children with FASD.
- No significant differences in ERPs were found between choline and placebo groups post-trial.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a relationship between memory performance and neurophysiological status in children with FASD.
- The small sample size limits definitive conclusions regarding choline's treatment effect on ERPs.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand choline's impact on FASD neurophysiology.
Background:
Prenatal and early postnatal choline supplementation reduces cognitive and behavioral deficits in animal models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In a previously published 9-month clinical trial of choline supplementation in children with FASD, we reported that postnatal choline was associated with improved performance on a hippocampal-dependent recognition memory task. The current paper describes the neurophysiological correlates of that memory performance for trial completers.
Methods:
Children with FASD (N = 24) who were enrolled in a clinical trial of choline supplementation were followed for 9 months. Delayed recall on a 9-step elicited imitation task (EI) served as the behavioral measure of recognition memory. Neurophysiological correlates of memory were assessed via event-related potentials (ERP).
Results:
Delayed recall on EI was correlated with two ERP components commonly associated with recognition memory in young children: middle latency negative component (Nc amplitude; range: r = -0.41 to r = -0.44) and positive slow wave (PSW area under the curve; range: r = -0.45 to r = -0.63). No significant ERP differences were observed between the choline and placebo groups at the conclusion of the trial.
Conclusion:
Although the small sample size limits the ability to draw clear conclusions about the treatment effect of choline on ERP, the results suggest a relationship between memory performance and underlying neurophysiological status in FASD. This trial was registered.
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