title: Callosal thickness reductions relate to facial dysmorphology in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Structural abnormalities of the corpus callosum (CC), such as reduced size and increased shape variability, have been documented in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). However, the regional specificity of altered CC structure, which may point to the timing of neurodevelopmental disturbances and/or relate to specific functional impairments, remains unclear. Furthermore, associations between facial dysmorphology and callosal structure remain undetermined.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-three participants (age range 8 to 16) including 82 subjects with FASD and 71 nonexposed controls were included in this study. The structural magnetic resonance imaging data of these subjects was collected at 3 sites (Los Angeles and San Diego, California, and Cape Town, South Africa) and analyzed using classical parcellation schemes, as well as more refined surface-based geometrical modeling methods, to identify callosal morphological alterations in FASD at high spatial resolution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reductions in callosal thickness and area, specifically in the anterior third and the splenium, were observed in FASD compared with nonexposed controls. In addition, reduced CC thickness and area significantly correlated with reduced palpebral fissure length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consistent with previous reports, findings suggest an adverse effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on callosal growth and further indicate that fiber pathways connecting frontal and parieto-occipital regions in each hemisphere may be particularly affected. Significant associations between callosal and facial dysmorphology provide evidence for a concurrent insult to midline facial and brain structural development in FASD.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Owen R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Kathleen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sulik
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Colleen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Adnams
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Narr
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Sowell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy