J. Spencer et al., MICROTREMORS DURING A SUSTAINED CONCENTRATION TASK FROM BOYS PREVIOUSLY EXPOSED TO OPIATES IN-UTERO, Journal of child & adolescent substance abuse, 7(2), 1997, pp. 53-63
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.