ABSTRACT
Relationships between neurodevelopmental functioning and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were contrasted between children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and children who differed relative to their history of PAE and the presence of other neurodevelopmental impairment. For all groups, deoxygenated hemoglobin (HBR) levels in the medial PFC area were negatively related to externalizing problems and levels in the medial and right lateral PFC were positively related to errors on a cognitive inhibition task. Hemodynamic changes in the medial and right lateral PFC of children with PAE demonstrated stronger relationships to aspects of executive functioning relative to contrast groups.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the children and their families who participated in this research.
Abbreviations
EFexecutive functioningHBOoxygenated hemoglobinHBRdeoxygenated hemoglobinPAEprenatal alcohol exposurePFCprefrontal cortexFASDsfetal alcohol spectrum disordersfNIRsfunctional near-infrared spectroscopyMBLLmodified Beer-Lambert LawADHDattention-deficit hyperactivity disorderLEDSlight-emitting diodesCOBIcognitive optical brain imagingSMARsliding-window motion artifact rejectionFETCHfrustration emotion task for childrenCBCLchild behavior checklistCONcontrolsCCclinical contrast group
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.