Differential cerebral neuropsychological consequences in dizygotic twins with prenatal alcohol exposure

Abstract

Aim: To relate structural and functional findings in one adolescent dizygotic twin pair with prenatal alcohol exposure. Method: Neuropsychological and volumetric magnetic resonance studies were carried out on a 13-year-old preterm dizygotic twin pair with prenatal alcohol exposure. Results: Neuropsychological and brain structural findings differed between the twins. The child with the more affected phenotype had large-scale cognitive deficits and presented significant atrophy in several brain structures. Both subjects had white matter volume reductions relative to the whole cerebral volume. Conclusion: The neuropsychological and neuroimaging data reflect long-term consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. © Medical Council on Alcohol 2004; all rights reserved.