Project
Assessing Working Memory function in FASD with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Principal Investigator(s):Krisztina Malisza, phone: 204-984-6616, email: Kris.Malisza@nrc-cncr.gc.ca; Dr. Albert Chudley, University of Manitoba, phone: 204-787-4350, email: achudley@hsc.mb.ca
Start/End Date: Feb 15, 2002 - Feb 15, 2004.
Location: Winnipeg, at IBD (below) and The Health Sciences Centre Hospital MRI facility.
Brief Description: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are an important cause of mental retardation in North America. In principle, FASD should be fully preventable. However, political and social realities have stood in the way of such efforts, and it appears necessary to solve this problem retrospectively as well as prospectively. In order to design possible interventions, either simultaneous with the possible alcohol exposure, or later (in maturing or mature individuals), it is necessary to characterize and understand the effects of alcohol on the central nervous system (CNS). Presently, a diagnosis is commonly made on the basis of four criteria (growth deficiency, facial appearance, history of maternal alcohol consumption, and CNS damage). While the first three criteria are quite homogeneous in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) patients, CNS damage can manifest itself in many different forms that are often difficult to diagnose. Functional neuroimaging methods provide us now with potentially finer and less subjective tools to measure alcohol related changes in brain function. These methods can complement traditional behavioural assessments.
This pilot study examined the feasibility of using functional and anatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging to help in the assessment of FAS or Alcohol Related Neurological Disorders (ARND). As CNS deficits are diverse, two tasks were used in our functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that involve a multitude of brain areas where these tasks are designed to probe basic and relatively well-understood brain functions. Regions of activation during these tasks in subjects with FASD were compared to that of control subjects.
Our long-term objective is to answer two questions: 1) In spite of the variety of behavioural deficits, is there a tendency for areas in the brain to be commonly affected in FASD patients, and 2) are there quantitative anatomical differences between FASD and control subjects? These findings by themselves may have important consequences for the planning and assessment of possible treatments.
The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Winnipeg Research Ethics Board and the University of Manitoba Research Ethics Board. Subjects were recruited through the Clinic for Alcohol and Drug Exposed Children, physicians' offices and collaboration with Manitoba Child and Family Services. Prior to participation in the study, written informed consent was obtained from all subjects over 18 years of age; all subjects under 18 years of age provided written or verbal assent as well as parental or legal guardian written informed consent.
Children (7-12 years) and adults (18-33 years) who have been diagnosed with a FASD were recruited. Age and sex-matched healthy control subjects were also recruited.
Time Frame: completed. A new research funding application will be sent in February 2007 to CIHR to extend and expand this research
Kind of Project: research
Population Served: Manitoba
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