Postural sway in children from pedigrees exhibiting a high density of alcoholism.
A total of 98 children participated in a study of the neurobehavioral characteristics of individuals from pedigrees in which there was a high density of alcoholism. Two groups of children were evaluated (High and Low Risk) using a sensitive movement platform and a variety of methods to challenge the motor system. High-Risk children showed a greater decrement in postural steadiness when visual input was removed than did Low-Risk children. Additionally, the monopedal stances revealed hemispheric differences in postural sway as a function of risk status. The amount of sway exhibited was correlated with the latency of P300 recorded using a visual task. Both appear to be indicators of neuropathological changes. The present results suggest that postural sway may be a neurobehavioral marker for alcoholism risk.
Hill
S Y
SY
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute, PA 15213.
Steinhauer
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010375:Pedigree; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000431:Ethanol