SPECIFIC IMPAIRMENTS IN SELF-REGULATION IN CHILDREN EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL PRENATALLY

The present study utilizes a conceptual framework derived from theorie s of cognition to explain the pattern of behavioral and learning probl ems observed in subjects with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal a lcohol effects (FAE). Based on a modern interpretation of Luria's theo ry of self-regulation, this study used a neuropsychological test batte ry to compare 10 subjects (mean age = 13 years) having FAS/FAE with 10 control subjects (mean age = 12 years and 9 months). Subjects with FA S/FAE were relatively high functioning and did not significantly diffe r from controls with respect to receptive vocabulary. However, those w ith FAS/FAR exhibited greater difficulty than controls on tasks that i nvolved the manipulation of information and goal management in working memory (e.g., Planning, Controlled Oral Word Association, etc). Both groups performed equally well on some tasks that demanded rule learnin g (Delayed Response) and response inhibition (Go-No-Go). The above imp airments were interpreted to be reflective of selective rather than ge neralized disruptions of neural networks that subserve working memory.