title: Neurobehavioral, neurologic, and neuroimaging characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
abstract: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have deleterious consequences for the fetus, including changes in central nervous system development leading to permanent neurologic alterations and cognitive and behavioral deficits. Individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, including those with and without fetal alcohol syndrome, are identified under the umbrella of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). While studies of humans and animal models confirm that even low to moderate levels of exposure can have detrimental effects, critical doses of such exposure have yet to be specified and the most clinically significant and consistent consequences occur following heavy exposure. These consequences are pervasive, devastating, and can result in long-term dysfunction. This chapter summarizes the neurobehavioral, neurologic, and neuroimaging characteristics of FASD, focusing primarily on clinical research of individuals with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure, although studies of lower levels of exposure, particularly prospective, longitudinal studies, will be discussed where relevant.
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA. Electronic address: sarah.mattson@sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mattson
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020187:REM Sleep Behavior Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: behavior; brain; cognition; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD); fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS); neurobehavioral profile; neuroimaging; neuropsychologic effects; prenatal alcohol exposure