Dataset Information

Disruptions in global network segregation and integration in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health problem that is associated with a broad range of physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral effects resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been an important tool for advancing our knowledge of abnormal brain structure and function in individuals with FASD. However, whereas only a small number of studies have applied graph theory-based network analysis to resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data in individuals with FASD additional research in this area is needed.

Methods

Resting-state fMRI data were collected from adolescent and young adult participants (ages 12-22) with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and neurotypically developing controls (CNTRL) from previous studies. Group independent components analysis (gICA) was applied to fMRI data to extract components representing functional brain networks. Functional network connectivity (FNC), measured by Pearson correlation of the average independent component (IC) time series, was analyzed under a graph theory framework to compare network modularity, the average clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and global efficiency between groups. Cognitive intelligence, measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), was compared and correlated to global network measures.

Results

Group comparisons revealed significant differences in the average clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and global efficiency. Modularity was not significantly different between groups. The FAS and ARND groups scored significantly lower than the CNTRL group on Full Scale IQ (FS-IQ) and the Vocabulary subtest, but not the Matrix Reasoning subtest. No significant associations between intelligence and graph theory measures were detected.

Conclusion

Our results partially agree with previous studies examining global graph theory metrics in children and adolescents with FASD and suggest that the exposure to alcohol during prenatal development leads to disruptions in aspects of functional network segregation and integration.

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez CI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9124434 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Disruptions in global network segregation and integration in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Rodriguez Carlos I CI Vergara Victor M VM Calhoun Vince D VD Savage Daniel D DD Hamilton Derek A DA Tesche Claudia D CD Stephen Julia M JM

Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research 20210802 9

<h4>Background</h4>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health problem that is associated with a broad range of physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral effects resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been an important tool for advancing our knowledge of abnormal brain structure and function in individuals with FASD. However, whereas only a small number of studies have applied graph theory-based network analysis to resting-st ...[more]

PMID: 34342371

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Project description:BackgroundChildren with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), who were exposed to alcohol in utero, display a broad range of sensory, cognitive, and behavioral deficits, which are broadly theorized to be rooted in altered brain function and structure. Based on the role of neural oscillations in multisensory integration from past studies, we hypothesized that adolescents with FASD would show a decrease in oscillatory power during event-related gamma oscillatory activity (30 to 100 Hz), when compared to typically developing healthy controls (HC), and that such decrease in oscillatory power would predict behavioral performance.MethodsWe measured sensory neurophysiology using magnetoencephalography (MEG) during passive auditory, somatosensory, and multisensory (synchronous) stimulation in 19 adolescents (12 to 21 years) with FASD and 23 age- and gender-matched HC. We employed a cross-hemisphere multisensory paradigm to assess interhemispheric connectivity deficits in children with FASD.ResultsTime-frequency analysis of MEG data revealed a significant decrease in gamma oscillatory power for both unisensory and multisensory conditions in the FASD group relative to HC, based on permutation testing of significant group differences. Greater beta oscillatory power (15 to 30 Hz) was also noted in the FASD group compared to HC in both unisensory and multisensory conditions. Regression analysis revealed greater predictive power of multisensory oscillations from unisensory oscillations in the FASD group compared to the HC group. Furthermore, multisensory oscillatory power, for both groups, predicted performance on the Intra-Extradimensional Set Shift Task and the Cambridge Gambling Task.ConclusionsAltered oscillatory power in the FASD group may reflect a restricted ability to process somatosensory and multisensory stimuli during day-to-day interactions. These alterations in neural oscillations may be associated with the neurobehavioral deficits experienced by adolescents with FASD and may carry over to adulthood.

Project description:AimTo explore the lived experiences of adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to understand: the ways in which their challenges influence daily functioning; and the personal assets and external resources that facilitate participation.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with four adolescents (one identified as non-binary, one male, and two female) with FASD aged 13 to 15 years. A photo elicitation approach facilitated participation, whereby adolescents first took photographs of their daily activities and environments. Photographs were subsequently used to generate discussion during the interviews. Data analysis involved using interpretative phenomenological analysis to generate themes.ResultsTwo superordinate themes and three subthemes relating to participants' lived experiences emerged from the interviews: (1) 'anxiety challenges participation' (subthemes [i] 'need for external support'; [ii] 'the power of positive relationships'; and [iii] 'talents and interests facilitate participation') and (2) 'importance of a unique identity'.InterpretationFindings illustrated the barriers adolescents experienced regarding their daily functioning and independence. Additionally, incorporating strengths into daily activities appeared to reduce anxiety and improve participation, and adolescents desired for their unique characteristics to be recognized and appreciated. To support adolescents with FASD, service providers should consider incorporating strengths-based approaches and an explicit focus on facilitating the development of positive self-identities.What this paper addsAnxiety often prevented adolescents' independent participation in social activities, requiring caregiver assistance. Strengths (e.g. talents, positive relationships) facilitated adolescents' participation and reduced their anxiety. Clinicians and researchers should consider strengths-based approaches to interventions targeting participation. Interventions for adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder could focus on developing a positive self-identity.

Dataset Information

Disruptions in global network segregation and integration in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Disruptions in global network segregation and integration in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Similar Datasets

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