scholarly journals Prenatal maternal and childhood bisphenol a exposure and brain structure and behavior of young children

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melody N. Grohs ◽  
◽  
Jess E. Reynolds ◽  
Jiaying Liu ◽  
Jonathan W. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Internalizing Behavior ◽  
Spot Urine ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. In North America, over 90% of the population has detectable levels of urinary BPA. Human epidemiological studies have reported adverse behavioral outcomes with BPA exposure in children, however, corresponding effects on children’s brain structure have not yet been investigated. The current study examined the association between prenatal maternal and childhood BPA exposure and white matter microstructure in children aged 2 to 5 years, and investigated whether brain structure mediated the association between BPA exposure and child behavior. Methods Participants were 98 mother-child pairs who were recruited between January 2009 and December 2012. Total BPA concentrations in spot urine samples obtained from mothers in the second trimester of pregnancy and from children at 3–4 years of age were analyzed. Children participated in a diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at age 2–5 years (3.7 ± 0.8 years). Associations between prenatal maternal and childhood BPA and children’s fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity of 10 isolated white matter tracts were investigated, controlling for urinary creatinine, child sex, and age at the time of MRI. Post-hoc analyses examined if alterations in white matter mediated the relationship of BPA and children’s scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results Prenatal maternal urinary BPA was significantly associated with child mean diffusivity in the splenium and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus. Splenium diffusivity mediated the relationship between maternal prenatal BPA levels and children’s internalizing behavior (indirect effect: β = 0.213, CI [0.0167, 0.564]). No significant associations were found between childhood BPA and white matter microstructure. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence for the neural correlates of BPA exposure in humans. Our findings suggest that prenatal maternal exposure to BPA may lead to alterations in white matter microstructure in preschool aged children, and that such alterations mediate the relationship between early life exposure to BPA and internalizing problems.

scholarly journals White matter, cognition and psychotic-like experiences in UK Biobank

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
M. J. Bosma ◽  
S. R. Cox ◽  
T. Ziermans ◽  
C. R. Buchanan ◽  
X. Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
G Factor ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are risk factors for the development of psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, particularly if associated with distress. As PLEs have been related to alterations in both white matter and cognition, we investigated whether cognition (g-factor and processing speed) mediates the relationship between white matter and PLEs. Methods We investigated two independent samples (6170 and 19 891) from the UK Biobank, through path analysis. For both samples, measures of whole-brain fractional anisotropy (gFA) and mean diffusivity (gMD), as indications of white matter microstructure, were derived from probabilistic tractography. For the smaller sample, variables whole-brain white matter network efficiency and microstructure were also derived from structural connectome data. Results The mediation of cognition on the relationships between white matter properties and PLEs was non-significant. However, lower gFA was associated with having PLEs in combination with distress in the full available sample (standardized β = −0.053, p = 0.011). Additionally, lower gFA/higher gMD was associated with lower g-factor (standardized β = 0.049, p < 0.001; standardized β = −0.027, p = 0.003), and partially mediated by processing speed with a proportion mediated of 7% (p = < 0.001) for gFA and 11% (p < 0.001) for gMD. Conclusions We show that lower global white matter microstructure is associated with having PLEs in combination with distress, which suggests a direction of future research that could help clarify how and why individuals progress from subclinical to clinical psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, we replicated that processing speed mediates the relationship between white matter microstructure and g-factor.

scholarly journals Associations of cigarette smoking with gray and white matter in the UK Biobank

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Gray ◽  
Matthew Thompson ◽  
Chelsie Benca-Bachman ◽  
Max Michael Owens ◽  
Mikela Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Medial Lemniscus ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Uk

Chronic cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk for myriad health consequences including cognitive decline and dementia, but research on the link between smoking and brain structure is nascent. We assessed the relationship of cigarette smoking (ever smoked, cigarettes per day, and duration) with gray and white matter using the UK Biobank cohort (gray matter N = 19,615; white matter N = 17,760), adjusting for numerous demographic and health confounders. Ever smoked and duration were associated with smaller total gray matter volume. Ever smoked was associated with reduced volume of the right VIIIa cerebellum, as well as elevated white matter hyperintensity volumes. Smoking duration was associated with reduced total white matter volume. With regard to specific tracts, ever smoked was associated with reduced fractional anisotropy in the left cingulate gyrus part of the cingulum, left posterior thalamic radiation, and bilateral superior thalamic radiation and increased mean diffusivity in the middle cerebellar peduncle, right medial lemniscus, bilateral posterior thalamic radiation, and bilateral superior thalamic radiation. Overall, we found significant associations of cigarette exposure with global measures of gray and white matter. Furthermore, we found select associations of ever smoked, but not cigarettes per day or duration, with specific gray and white matter regions. These findings inform our understanding of the connections between smoking and variation in brain structure and clarify potential mechanisms of risk for common neurological sequelae.

scholarly journals White matter microstructure predicts foreign language learning in army interpreters

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Mårtensson ◽  
Johan Eriksson ◽  
Nils Christian Bodammer ◽  
Magnus Lindgren ◽  
Mikael Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Foreign Language Acquisition ◽  
White Matter Microstructure

AbstractAdult foreign language acquisition is challenging, and the degree of success varies among individuals. Anatomical differences in brain structure prior to training can partly explain why some learn more than others. We followed a sample of conscript interpreters undergoing intense language training to study learning-related changes in white-matter microstructure (FA, MD, RD and AD) and associations between differences in brain structure prior to training with acquired language proficiency. No evidence for changes in white matter microstructure relative to a control group was found. Starting values of RD, AD and MD were positively related to final test scores of language proficiency, corroborating earlier findings in the field and highlighting the need for further study of how initial brain structure influences and interacts with learning outcomes.

scholarly journals Dysmature superficial white matter microstructure in developmental focal epilepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M Ostrowski ◽  
Daniel Y Song ◽  
Emily L Thorn ◽  
Erin E Ross ◽  
Sally M Stoyell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Epilepsy Syndrome ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Deep White Matter ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
Benign Epilepsy

Abstract Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes is a common childhood epilepsy syndrome that predominantly affects boys, characterized by self-limited focal seizures arising from the perirolandic cortex and fine motor abnormalities. Concurrent with the age-specific presentation of this syndrome, the brain undergoes a developmentally choreographed sequence of white matter microstructural changes, including maturation of association u-fibres abutting the cortex. These short fibres mediate local cortico-cortical communication and provide an age-sensitive structural substrate that could support a focal disease process. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the microstructural properties of superficial white matter in regions corresponding to u-fibres underlying the perirolandic seizure onset zone in children with this epilepsy syndrome compared with healthy controls. To verify the spatial specificity of these features, we characterized global superficial and deep white matter properties. We further evaluated the characteristics of the perirolandic white matter in relation to performance on a fine motor task, gender and abnormalities observed on EEG. Children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 14) underwent multimodal testing with high-resolution MRI including diffusion tensor imaging sequences, sleep EEG recordings and fine motor assessment. We compared white matter microstructural characteristics (axial, radial and mean diffusivity, and fractional anisotropy) between groups in each region. We found distinct abnormalities corresponding to the perirolandic u-fibre region, with increased axial, radial and mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy values in children with epilepsy (P = 0.039, P = 0.035, P = 0.042 and P = 0.017, respectively). Increased fractional anisotropy in this region, consistent with decreased integrity of crossing sensorimotor u-fibres, correlated with inferior fine motor performance (P = 0.029). There were gender-specific differences in white matter microstructure in the perirolandic region; males and females with epilepsy and healthy males had higher diffusion and fractional anisotropy values than healthy females (P ≤ 0.035 for all measures), suggesting that typical patterns of white matter development disproportionately predispose boys to this developmental epilepsy syndrome. Perirolandic white matter microstructure showed no relationship to epilepsy duration, duration seizure free, or epileptiform burden. There were no group differences in diffusivity or fractional anisotropy in superficial white matter outside of the perirolandic region. Children with epilepsy had increased radial diffusivity (P = 0.022) and decreased fractional anisotropy (P = 0.027) in deep white matter, consistent with a global delay in white matter maturation. These data provide evidence that atypical maturation of white matter microstructure is a basic feature in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and may contribute to the epilepsy, male predisposition and clinical comorbidities observed in this disorder.

scholarly journals Nicotine Effects on White Matter Microstructure in Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M Kangiser ◽  
Alicia M Thomas ◽  
Christine M Kaiver ◽  
Krista M Lisdahl
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
White Matter Microstructure

Abstract Objective Nicotine use is widely prevalent among youth, and is associated with white matter microstructural changes as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In adults, nicotine use is generally associated with lower fractional anisotropy (FA), but in adolescents/young adults (≤30 years), microstructure appears healthier, indicated by higher FA. This cross-sectional study examined associations between nicotine use and white matter microstructure using fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in young adults. Methods Fifty-three participants (18 nicotine users [10 female]/35 controls [17 female]) ages 18–25 underwent MRI scan, neuropsychological battery, toxicology screening, and drug use interview. Nicotine group associations with FA and MD were examined in various white matter tracts. In significant tracts, AD and RD were measured. Exploratory correlations were conducted between significant tracts and verbal memory and sustained attention/working memory performance. Results Nicotine users exhibited significantly lower FA than controls in the left anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left superior longitudinal fasciculus—temporal, and left uncinate fasciculus. In these tracts, AD and RD did not differ, nor did MD differ in any tract. White matter quality was positively correlated with sustained attention/working memory performance. Conclusions Cigarette smoking may disrupt white matter microstructure. These results are consistent with adult studies, but inconsistent with adolescent/young adult studies, likely due to methodological and sample age differences. Further studies should examine longitudinal effects of nicotine use on white matter microstructure in a larger sample.

scholarly journals Microstructural anatomical differences between bilinguals and monolinguals

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 995-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
NANDINI C. SINGH ◽  
ARCHITH RAJAN ◽  
ARCHANA MALAGI ◽  
KEERTHI RAMANUJAN ◽  
MATTEO CANINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Cerebral White Matter ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus ◽  
The Right ◽  
Anterior Thalamic Radiation

DTI is an established method to study cerebral white-matter microstructure. Two established measures of DTI are fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) and both differ for bilingual and monolingual speakers. Less is known about differences in two other measures called radial (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD). We report differences in mean RD and AD-values in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and forceps minor between bilingual (Hindi–English) and monolingual (English) speakers as well as differences in mean FA-values in the anterior thalamic radiation, right inferior fronto-occipital and inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and mean MD-values in forceps minor and bilateral SLF. Noteworthy, a positive correlation between L2 proficiency and mean RD-values in the right SLF was observed. We suggest that changes in the geometry of white matter tracts reflect regular bilingual language experience and contend that neuroplasticity in right SLF results from demands on cognitive control for bilingual speakers.

Effect of Marital Discord on Parental Reports on the Child Behavior Checklist

1986 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 1255-1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon A. Rosenberg ◽  
Paramjit Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Child Behavior ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Dependent Measure ◽  
Marital Discord ◽  
Behavior Difficulties ◽  
Parental Reports ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Psychiatry Program

The relationship between indicators of marital discord and differences between parents' reports of the behavior of their children on a symptom/behavior checklist was investigated for a sample of 18 consecutive admissions to an inpatient child psychiatry program. The parents independently and separately were administered the Achenbach and Edelbrock Child Behavior Checklist. An experienced clinician rated the families on three indices of marital discord following a paired-comparison procedure. The findings indicated that the greater the marital difficulty, the greater the difference in the adults' ratings of behavior difficulties in the children. Since marital discord can influence parents' perceptions of their children's behavior, sex of parent cannot be ignored as a variable in studies utilizing behavioral checklists for such purposes as a dependent measure of therapeutic change.

scholarly journals The Relation Between White Matter Microstructure and Network Complexity: Implications for Processing Efficienc

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. McDonough ◽  
Jonathan T. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Multiscale Entropy ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Bold Signal ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
Human Connectome Project

AbstractBrain structure has been proposed to facilitate as well as constrain functional interactions within brain networks. Simulation models suggest that integrity of white matter (WM) microstructure should be positively related to the complexity of BOLD signal—a measure of network interactions. Using 121 young adults from the Human Connectome Project, we empirically tested whether greater WM integrity would be associated with greater complexity of the BOLD signal during rest via multiscale entropy. Multiscale entropy measures the lack of predictability within a given time series across varying time scales, thus being able to estimate fluctuating signal dynamics within brain networks. Using multivariate analysis techniques (Partial Least Squares), we found that greater WM integrity was associated with greater network complexity at fast time scales, but less network complexity at slower time scales. These findings implicate two separate pathways through which WM integrity affects brain function in the prefrontal cortex—an executive-prefrontal pathway and a perceptuo-occipital pathway. In two additional samples, the main patterns of WM and network complexity were replicated. These findings support simulation models of WM integrity and network complexity and provide new insights into brain structure-function relationships.

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