title: Differences in MEG gamma oscillatory power during performance of a prosaccade task in adolescents with FASD.
abstract: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is characterized by a broad range of behavioral and cognitive deficits that impact the long-term quality of life for affected individuals. However, the underlying changes in brain structure and function associated with these cognitive impairments are not well-understood. Previous studies identified deficits in behavioral performance of prosaccade tasks in children with FASD. In this study, we investigated group differences in gamma oscillations during performance of a prosaccade task. We collected magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from 15 adolescents with FASD and 20 age-matched healthy controls (HC) with a mean age of 15.9 ± 0.4 years during performance of a prosaccade task. Eye movement was recorded and synchronized to the MEG data using an MEG compatible eye-tracker. The MEG data were analyzed relative to the onset of the visual saccade. Time-frequency analysis was performed using Fieldtrip with a focus on group differences in gamma-band oscillations. Following left target presentation, we identified four clusters over right frontal, right parietal, and left temporal/occipital cortex, with significantly different gamma-band (30-50 Hz) power between FASD and HC. Furthermore, visual M100 latencies described in Coffman etal. (2012) corresponded with increased gamma power over right central cortex in FASD only. Gamma-band differences were not identified for stimulus-averaged responses implying that these gamma-band differences were related to differences in saccade network functioning. These differences in gamma-band power may provide indications of atypical development of cortical networks in individuals with FASD.
authors.affiliation: The Mind Research Network Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stephen
authors.affiliation: The Mind Research Network Albuquerque, NM, USA ; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Coffman
authors.affiliation: The Mind Research Network Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Piyadasa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kodituwakku
keywords: MEG; adolescents; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; gamma-band; visual prosaccades