Functional connectivity of cognition-related brain networks in adults with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Sundermann, B; Feldmann, R; Mathys, C; Rau, Johanna M.H; Garde, S; Braje, A; Weglage, J; Pfleiderer, Bettina

Abstract

We observed altered FC in cognition-related brain networks in young adults with FAS. Using a HC-based statistical approach, this study provides evidence of the existence of at least rare and weak effects (i.e., FC differences between participants with FAS and controls) widely distributed across a majority of these networks, potentially underlying the diversity of cognitive deficits in these individuals. Findings were pronounced in attention-related sub-networks, which is in line with substantial attentional deficits previously reported. Relevant for comparisons with previous studies is that—in contrast with network-level results—the most detailed analysis level using a more conventional mass-univariate approach did not identify significant group differences. Thus, findings could not be resolved to single functional connections. An exploratory time-resolved analysis did also not identify altered FC dynamics and could thus not explain reduced impulse control and attention deficits which have been frequently reported in FAS.