Callosal thinning in children prenatally exposed to methaphetamine

2010

Mary O'Connor
[email protected]
310-206-6528

The purpose of this study was to examine morphological differences in the corpus callosum in children exposed prenatally to methamphetamine compared to non exposed children. Because many methamphetamine exposed children are also exposed to alcohol in utero and callosal dysmorphology has been well documented in children with prenatal alcohol exposure, a comparison group of alcohol exposed children was also evaluated to account for effects of mild-moderate alcohol exposure. 56 children participated in this study. Decreased callosal thickness was observed in the MA group compared to the CON group in large areas of the splenium, isthmus, and body of the CC. Prenatal MA exposure appears to impact the morphology of the CC differently than prenatal exposure alone. The MA exposed children have thinning of the CC in the selenium, isthmus, and body regions. Attentional weakness in methamphetamine exposed children have not been documented and attentional network are known to be related to parietal regions.

Conference presentations and posters presented

Professionals

N/A