Abnormalities in parentally rated executive function in methamphetamine/polysubstance exposed children

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 98; no. 3; pp. 432 - 439
• Main Authors: Piper, Brian J., Acevedo, Summer F., Kolchugina, Galena K., Butler, Robert W., Corbett, Selena M., Honeycutt, Elizabeth B., Craytor, Michael J., Raber, Jacob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Inc 01.05.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alcohol; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Executive Function - drug effects; Female; Humans; Intelligence; Learning; Male; Maternal Exposure; Medical sciences; Memory; Neuropharmacology; Neuropsychology; Nicotine; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Learning; Alcohol; Neuropsychology; Nicotine; Amphetamine derivatives; Human; Executive function; CNS stimulant; Psychotropic; Metamfetamine; Sympathomimetic; Alcoholic beverage; Alkaloid; Acquisition process; Drug of abuse; Child; Neuropsychologia
• ISSN: 0091-3057; 1873-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.02.013

Methamphetamine/polysubstance abuse in women of childbearing age is a major concern because of the potential long-term detrimental effects on the brain function of the fetus following in utero exposure. A battery of established tests, including the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Conners' Continuous Performance Test II, Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function, the CMS Family Pictures and Dot Location tests, the Spatial Span test from the WISC-IV-Integrated, and a recently developed spatial learning and memory measure (Memory Island), was used to assess the effects of prenatal drug exposure on neurobehavioral performance. Participants were 7 to 9year old children from similar socioeconomic backgrounds who either had (N=31) or had not (N=35) been exposed to methamphetamine/polysubstance during pregnancy. Compared to unexposed children, exposed children showed pronounced elevations (i.e. more problems) in parental ratings of executive function, including behavioral regulation and metacognition. Exposed children also exhibited subtle reductions in spatial performance in the Memory Island test. In contrast, IQ, Spatial Span, Family Pictures, Dot Location, and vigilance performance were unaffected by prenatal drug exposure history. Thus, children of women who reported using methamphetamine and other recreational drugs during pregnancy showed a selective profile of abnormalities in parentally rated executive function. ► Exposed children show more problems in parental ratings of executive function. ► Exposed children exhibit reductions in spatial performance in the Memory Island test. ► Exposed children show a selective profile of abnormalities in executive function.