title: Prenatal tobacco exposure predicts differential brain function during working memory in early adolescence: a preliminary investigation.
abstract: Children prenatally exposed to tobacco exhibit higher rates of learning and emotional-behavioral problems related to worse working memory performance. Brain function, however, among tobacco exposed children while performing a working memory task has not previously been examined. This study compared the brain function of tobacco-exposed (n = 7) and unexposed (n = 11) 12-year-olds during a number N-back working memory task using an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design. Prenatal alcohol exposure, neonatal medical problems, environmental risk, and sex were statistically controlled. Tobacco-exposed children showed greater activation in inferior parietal regions, whereas unexposed children showed greater activation in inferior frontal regions. These differences were observed in the context of correct responses, suggesting that exposed and unexposed children use different brain regions and approaches to succeed in working memory tasks. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
authors: GLAD Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Building C, Box 118, 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA. David.Bennett@DrexelMed.edu
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Bennett
authors: Feroze B
authors: FB
authors: Mohamed
authors: Dennis P
authors: DP
authors: Carmody
authors: Muhammed
authors: M
authors: Malik
authors: Scott H
authors: SH
authors: Faro
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012306:Risk; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D000431:Ethanol