Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, ADHD, and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Diana Graham, San Diego State University; Nicole Crocker, San Diego State University; Benjamin Deweese, San Diego State University; Scott C. Roesch, San Diego State University; Claire Coles, Emory University; Julie A Kable, Emory University; Philip A. May, University of North Carolina; Wendy O. Kalberg, University of New Mexico; Elizabeth R. Sowell, University of Southern California; Kenneth Lyons Jones, University of California San Diego; Edward P. Riley, San Diego State University; Sarah N. Mattson, San Diego State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01886.x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
• ISSN: 0145-6008
• Volume: 37
• Issue: SUPPL.1
• Start Page: E338
• End Page: E346
• Grant/Funding Information: Research described in this paper was supported by NIAAA grant numbers U01 AA014834 (Mattson), U24 AA014811 (Riley), U24 AA014818 (Barnett), and U24 AA014815 (Jones).; All or part of this work was done in conjunction with the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD), which is funded by grants from the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA).
• Keywords: Science & Technology; FEATURES; ADHD; DIAGNOSIS; Attention-Deficit; Hyperactivity Disorder; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Neurobehavioral Profile; DEFICIT-HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER; CHILDREN; INTERNALIZING PROBLEMS; SPECTRUM DISORDER; SCHOOL; Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Substance Abuse; PREVALENCE; ADAPTIVE-BEHAVIOR; Sluggish Cognitive Tempo
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Background: Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure often meet criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD research has examined subtype differences in symptomatology, including sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). This construct is defined by behavioral symptoms including hypoactivity and daydreaming and has been linked to increased internalizing behaviors. The current study examined whether similar findings are displayed in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Methods: As part of a multisite study, caregivers of 272 children (8 to 16 years) completed the SCT Scale and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Four groups were included: alcohol-exposed children with ADHD (ALC+; n = 75), alcohol-exposed children without ADHD (ALC-; n = 35), nonexposed children with ADHD (ADHD; n = 60), and nonexposed children without ADHD (CON; n = 102). SCT and CBCL scores were analyzed using 2 (exposure) × 2 (ADHD) analyses of variance. Pearson's correlations measured the relationships between SCT, CBCL, and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). Discriminant function analysis examined whether SCT items could accurately classify groups. Results: Analyses revealed significant main effects of exposure and ADHD on SCT and internalizing and externalizing scores and significant interaction effects on SCT and internalizing scores. SCT significantly correlated with internalizing, externalizing, and attention ratings in all groups and with FSIQ in ALC+. Discriminant function analysis indicated that specific SCT items could distinguish ALC- from CON. Conclusions: Alcohol-exposed children exhibited elevated SCT scores. Elevations were related to increased parent ratings of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and attention. These findings are observed in alcohol-exposed children regardless of ADHD symptoms and specific SCT items proved useful in distinguishing exposed children, suggesting clinical utility for this measure in further defining the neurobehavioral profile related to prenatal alcohol exposure.