Deep serotonergic and dopaminergic structures in fetal alcoholic syndrome: a study with nor-beta-CIT-single-photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging volumetry.

Background: In prenatally alcohol exposed children, the relationship between brain structure and function is highlighted to be important to study.

Methods: We studied 12 children with fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcoholic effects (FAE) by magnetic resonance imaging volumetry and by single-photon emission computed tomography with iodine-123 labeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) ([123I]nor-beta-CIT) and related these findings to those from neuropsychological and psychiatric tests.

Results: The absolute volumes of studied nuclei, including the brain volume, were significantly smaller in FAS/FAE children than in control patients.