Deep serotonergic and dopaminergic structures in fetal alcoholic syndrome: a study with nor-beta-CIT-single-photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging volumetry.
BACKGROUND
In prenatally alcohol exposed children, the relationship between brain structure and function is highlighted to be important to study.


METHODS
We studied 12 children with fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcoholic effects (FAE) by magnetic resonance imaging volumetry and by single-photon emission computed tomography with iodine-123 labeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) ([123I]nor-beta-CIT) and related these findings to those from neuropsychological and psychiatric tests.


RESULTS
The absolute volumes of studied nuclei, including the brain volume, were significantly smaller in FAS/FAE children than in control patients. After normalization of volumes, significant differences were not found. Left hippocampus was smaller than the right (p<.003) but did not significantly differ from the control subjects. The children with FAS/FAE showed reduced serotonin (p=.02) in the medial frontal cortex and slightly increased striatal dopamine transporter binding. All FAS/FAE children had attention-deficit/hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD). None had depression. The internalization scores correlated with dopamine transporter binding (r=-.65; p=.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the serotonin (5-HT) system may be vulnerable to the effects of ethanol in utero. The high dopamine transporter levels may correlate with the ADHD findings. Reduced serotonin and increased binding of dopamine transporter are also seen in type 2 alcoholism. Some behavioral problems of FAS/FAE might be preventable by early intervention and treatment.
Riikonen
Raili S
RS
Department of Child Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. raili.riikonen@uku.fi
Nokelainen
Pekka
P
Valkonen
Kirsi
K
Kolehmainen
Anni I
AI
Kumpulainen
Kirsti I
KI
Könönen
Mervi
M
Vanninen
Ritva-Liisa S
RL
Kuikka
Jyrki T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007456:Iodine Isotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012016:Reference Values; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013997:Time Factors; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D007456:Iodine Isotopes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C086915:N-nor-3-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester; D003042:Cocaine