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EEG findings in fetal alcohol syndrome and Down syndrome children
W M Kaneko1, E L Phillips, E P Riley
1Department of Neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Insights
Neonatal electroencephalograms (EEGs) may detect prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and Down syndrome children show distinct EEG patterns, with FAS impacting alpha frequencies and the left hemisphere.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Neonatal electroencephalograms (EEGs) show promise for detecting prenatal ethanol exposure.
- Limited research exists on EEG in adolescent children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate resting EEG recordings in adolescent children with FAS.
- To compare EEG spectral distributions between FAS, Down syndrome, and normal control groups.
Main Methods:
- Resting EEG recordings were analyzed from 18 matched triads.
- Subjects included children with FAS, Down syndrome, and typically developing controls.
- EEG power spectral analysis focused on alpha frequencies (7.5-12 Hz) and regional distribution.
Main Results:
- Both FAS and Down syndrome groups exhibited reduced alpha frequency power compared to controls.
- Down syndrome showed diffuse EEG slowing; FAS displayed reduced alpha power without significant slow activity.
- Alpha power reductions were localized to posterior cortical regions in Down syndrome and the left hemisphere in FAS.
Conclusions:
- Distinct EEG spectral distributions characterize FAS and Down syndrome.
- Specific EEG variables may aid in characterizing the neurophysiology of FAS.
- EEG analysis offers potential for identifying neurophysiological differences in FAS and related conditions.
Abstract:
Results from previous studies evaluating the electroencephalograms (EEGs) of infants born to alcoholic mothers suggest that the neonatal EEG may be a sensitive measure of prenatal ethanol exposure. Few studies, however, have examined EEG records of adolescent children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The present study investigated the resting EEG recordings of 18 matched triads of FAS, Down syndrome, and normal control subjects. Significant reductions in mean power of the alpha frequencies (7.5-12 Hz) were seen for both clinical groups, however, each syndrome appeared to have distinct EEG spectral distributions. Down syndrome children overall had diffuse EEG slowing while the EEG records of the FAS children showed reduced power, particularly in the alpha frequencies in the absence of significant slow activity. In the Down syndrome children, significant decreases in alpha power was seen in posterior cortical regions, whereas FAS children were more affected in the left hemisphere. This study suggests that certain EEG variables may be helpful in characterizing the neurophysiology of FAS.