Regional cerebellum volume anomalies and associated cognitive function in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) significantly impacts cerebellar development, which may affect cognitive function in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). We evaluated cerebellar anomalies in children with FASD and an unexposed comparison group using an advanced MRI volumetric method that characterizes cerebellar structure at the level of individual lobules. We also explored associations between the cerebellum and cognitive performance.

Methods

Forty-seven children with FASD and 46 typically developing comparisons (ages 8-17 years). Participants completed a 3T MRI scan and cognitive testing including IQ, executive function, visual memory, and visual-motor processing speed. T1-weighted anatomical data were processed with the CerebNet pipeline, which segments the

SUBMITTER: Gimbel BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668222 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature