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Sex-specific Differences in Resting Oscillatory Dynamics in Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Felicha T Candelaria-Cook1, Megan E Schendel1, Lucinda L Romero1

  • 1The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA.

Neuroscience
|February 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) alters brain activity in children. Females with PAE/FASD showed increased gamma and decreased delta power, indicating sex-specific neurodevelopmental disruptions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is linked to neurodevelopmental deficits.
  • Previous research indicates impaired functional connectivity and alpha oscillations in children with PAE.
  • The impact of PAE on resting-state gamma spectral power, particularly sex-specific effects, is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex-specific effects of PAE on whole-brain resting-state spectral power in children.
  • To examine differences in gamma and delta oscillations between typically developing children (TDC) and children with PAE/FASD.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetoencephalography (MEG) resting-state data were collected from 83 children (ages 6-13).
  • A matched design included 42 TDC and 41 children with PAE/FASD (males and females in both groups).
  • Whole-brain source spectral power analysis was performed for eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions.

Main Results:

  • Female participants with PAE/FASD exhibited significantly increased gamma power compared to female TDC and male PAE/FASD groups.
  • These gamma power differences were widespread across brain regions and age groups.
  • Female participants with PAE/FASD also showed decreased delta power, particularly during eyes-closed rest and at younger ages.

Conclusions:

  • PAE induces sex-specific alterations in neural oscillations during rest.
  • Females with PAE/FASD display the most pronounced disruptions in gamma and delta power.
  • These findings suggest PAE globally affects resting-state spectral power, potentially disrupting the brain's excitation/inhibition balance and neurodevelopment.

Keywords:
FASD(4)Gamma Oscillations(1)MEG(2)fetal alcohol spectrum disorders(5)resting-state(3)

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