Long X. & Lebel C., Persistent alterations of brain and behaviour in children with low prenatal alcohol exposure, Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100648
Abstract
Background
Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with alterations in behavior, cognitive and brain development. However, the effects of low levels of PAE on brain and behavior remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate longitudinal changes of brain and behavior in children with low levels of PAE compared to very well-matched controls.
Methods
108 children (9.52 ± 0.50 years at baseline) with PAE (0.97 ± 0.90 drinks/week) and 108 controls (9.52 ± 0.50 years at baseline) with matched socioeconomic status were selected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study and were followed over 4 years with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores. No children had adverse exposures to other substances.
Results
Compared to unexposed controls, children with low levels of PAE had persistent higher CBCL scores (worse behavior) and higher intracranial volumes over time.
Conclusions
Our results provide further evidence of alterations in brain and behavior associated with low levels of PAE across early adolescence, highlighting the importance of prevention and early intervention even with low levels of PAE.