Radiological studies of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in humans and animal models: An updated comprehensive review

Magn Reson Imaging. 2017 Nov:43:10-26. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.06.012. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Abstract

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders encompass a wide range of birth defects in children born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Typical mental impairments in FASD include difficulties in life adaptation and learning and memory, deficits in attention, visuospatial skills, language and speech disabilities, mood disorders and motor disabilities. Multimodal imaging methods have enabled in vivo studies of the teratogenic effects of alcohol on the central nervous system, giving more insight into the FASD phenotype. This paper offers an up-to-date comprehensive review of radiological findings in the central nervous system in studies of prenatal alcohol exposure in both humans and translational animal models, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Tomography and Ultrasonography.

Keywords: Animals; FASD; Humans; Prenatal alcohol exposure; Radiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Attention
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain Mapping
  • Child
  • Ethanol
  • Female
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gray Matter / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Mental Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Phenotype
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Translational Research, Biomedical
  • White Matter / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Ethanol