Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

<p><strong>Background</strong> Since the 1970s, a range of facial, neurostructural, and neurocognitive adverse effects have been shown to be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Typically, these effects are studied individually and not in combination. Our objective is to impr...

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Main Authors: Suttie, M, Wozniak, JR, Parnell, SE, Wetherill, L, Mattson, SN, Sowell, ER, Kan, E, Riley, EP, Jones, KL, Coles, C, Foroud, T, Hammond, P, CIFASD
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018
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author Suttie, M
Wozniak, JR
Parnell, SE
Wetherill, L
Mattson, SN
Sowell, ER
Kan, E
Riley, EP
Jones, KL
Coles, C
Foroud, T
Hammond, P
CIFASD
author_facet Suttie, M
Wozniak, JR
Parnell, SE
Wetherill, L
Mattson, SN
Sowell, ER
Kan, E
Riley, EP
Jones, KL
Coles, C
Foroud, T
Hammond, P
CIFASD
author_sort Suttie, M
collection OXFORD
description <p><strong>Background</strong> Since the 1970s, a range of facial, neurostructural, and neurocognitive adverse effects have been shown to be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Typically, these effects are studied individually and not in combination. Our objective is to improve the understanding of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure by simultaneously considering face–brain morphology and neurocognitive measures.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong> Participants were categorized as control (n = 47), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS, n = 22), or heavily exposed (HE) prenatally, but not eligible for a FAS diagnosis (HE, n = 50). Structural brain MRI images and high‐resolution 3D facial images were analyzed using dense surface models of features of the face and surface shape of the corpus callosum (CC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Asymmetry of the CN was evaluated for correlations with neurocognitive measures.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong> (i) Facial growth delineations for FAS, HE, and controls are replicated for the CN and the CC. (ii) Concordance of clinical diagnosis and face‐based control–FAS discrimination improves when the latter is combined with specific brain regions. In particular, midline facial regions discriminate better when combined with a midsagittal profile of the CC. (iii) A subset of HE individuals was identified with FAS‐like CN dysmorphism. The average of this HE subset was FAS‐like in its facial dysmorphism. (iv) Right–left asymmetry found in the CNs of controls is not apparent for FAS, is diminished for HE, and correlates with neurocognitive measures in the combined FAS and HE population.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions</strong> Shape analysis which combines facial regions with the CN, and with the CC, better identify those with FAS. CN asymmetry was reduced for FAS compared to controls and is strongly associated with general cognitive ability, verbal learning, and recall in those with prenatal alcohol exposure. This study further extends the brain–behavior relationships known to be vulnerable to alcohol teratogenesis.</p>
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spelling oxford-uuid:43e22ba9-9bb2-47cc-814b-54326a135aac2022-03-26T14:58:18ZCombined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disordersJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:43e22ba9-9bb2-47cc-814b-54326a135aacEnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordWiley2018Suttie, MWozniak, JRParnell, SEWetherill, LMattson, SNSowell, ERKan, ERiley, EPJones, KLColes, CForoud, THammond, PCIFASD<p><strong>Background</strong> Since the 1970s, a range of facial, neurostructural, and neurocognitive adverse effects have been shown to be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Typically, these effects are studied individually and not in combination. Our objective is to improve the understanding of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure by simultaneously considering face–brain morphology and neurocognitive measures.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong> Participants were categorized as control (n = 47), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS, n = 22), or heavily exposed (HE) prenatally, but not eligible for a FAS diagnosis (HE, n = 50). Structural brain MRI images and high‐resolution 3D facial images were analyzed using dense surface models of features of the face and surface shape of the corpus callosum (CC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Asymmetry of the CN was evaluated for correlations with neurocognitive measures.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong> (i) Facial growth delineations for FAS, HE, and controls are replicated for the CN and the CC. (ii) Concordance of clinical diagnosis and face‐based control–FAS discrimination improves when the latter is combined with specific brain regions. In particular, midline facial regions discriminate better when combined with a midsagittal profile of the CC. (iii) A subset of HE individuals was identified with FAS‐like CN dysmorphism. The average of this HE subset was FAS‐like in its facial dysmorphism. (iv) Right–left asymmetry found in the CNs of controls is not apparent for FAS, is diminished for HE, and correlates with neurocognitive measures in the combined FAS and HE population.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions</strong> Shape analysis which combines facial regions with the CN, and with the CC, better identify those with FAS. CN asymmetry was reduced for FAS compared to controls and is strongly associated with general cognitive ability, verbal learning, and recall in those with prenatal alcohol exposure. This study further extends the brain–behavior relationships known to be vulnerable to alcohol teratogenesis.</p>
spellingShingle Suttie, M
Wozniak, JR
Parnell, SE
Wetherill, L
Mattson, SN
Sowell, ER
Kan, E
Riley, EP
Jones, KL
Coles, C
Foroud, T
Hammond, P
CIFASD
Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title_full Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title_fullStr Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title_full_unstemmed Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title_short Combined face-brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
title_sort combined face brain morphology and associated neurocognitive correlates in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
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