MICROTREMORS DURING A SUSTAINED CONCENTRATION TASK FROM BOYS PREVIOUSLY EXPOSED TO OPIATES IN-UTERO

Fourteen boys who were exposed to opiates in-utero (drug exposed) main tained their index finger in a static, weight-forced position while at tempting to maintain a stylus at a fix point producing intentional mic rotremors. After 2.5 minutes, significant increases in tremor were rec orded in mean peak (6 Hz) amplitude while accuracy of sustaining this response was significantly reduced. Age matched boys (ages 7-12) who w ere raised in an environment in which drugs were used but were not dir ectly exposed in-utero (lifestyle group N = 13) or a standard control group (N = 12), did not show similar changes over time. Resting or pos tural-extended tremor did differ among groups. Alcohol, marihuana, or tobacco usage by the mother or birth weight of the child did not predi ct subsequent group differences in tremor. Both biological and environ mental variables plus type and sensitivity of measurement used are cri tical elements for describing long-term, potential residual drug effec ts in children, especially as they relate to sustained attention.