Structural and functional brain integrity of fetal alcohol syndrome in nonretarded cases

Purpose. To determine the structural and functional integrity of the brain in a sample of nonretarded individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrom e. Subjects. The sample consisted of nineteen individuals who met the diagnost ic criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome. Methods. Intellectual function was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intell igence Scale-Revised. Structural integrity of the brain was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging whereas functional integrity was assessed using positron emission tomography and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose. Results. The mean Full Scale IQ was 80.2 (range: 66-92). Only 1 magnetic re sonance imaging was found to be abnormal. This abnormality was found for th e subject with the lowest IQ. Decreases in relative regional cerebral metab olic rates were found in 5 brain regions comprising the thalamus and basal ganglia. Conclusion. These results when coupled with previous findings suggest a con tinuum of neuropathology in fetal alcohol syndrome. For cases with relative ly mild intellectual deficits, the cause of the deficit is at a microlevel rather than a macro-level.