Frontal EEG asymmetry in extremely low birth weight adult survivors: Links to antenatal corticosteroid exposure and psychopathology. Issue 9 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krzeczkowski, John E.; Schmidt, Louis A.; Savoy, Calan; Saigal, Saroj; Van Lieshout, Ryan J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 129:Issue 9(2018:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1891
• Page End: 1898
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Electroencephalography -- Frontal alpha asymmetry -- Extremely low birth weight -- Prenatal steroids -- Psychopathology; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.05.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) adults exhibit brain activity that reflects psychopathology risk. Increased perinatal adversity was linked to greater right frontal asymmetry in adulthood. Early adversity affects adult neurophysiology, antenatal corticosteroids amplify these effects. Abstract: Objective: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) survivors are exposed to significant perinatal adversity. In many cases, mothers of these infants receive antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), which reduce offspring neonatal mortality but may have lasting neuropsychiatric effects. However, the long-term neurophysiological effects of being born at ELBW and exposed to ACS are unknown. Methods: We compared resting frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha asymmetry in ELBW survivors ( n = 51), some of whom were exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (ELBW-S; n = 23) versus non-exposed (ELBW-NS; n = 28), and normal birth weight controls (NBW; n = 66) in adulthood (mage = 32.3 years). Results: ELBW survivors exhibited greater relative right frontal EEG alpha (11.5 to 13.5 Hz) asymmetry at rest relative to NBW controls. A linear relation was observed between increased exposure to perinatal adversity (NBW vs. ELBW-NS vs. ELBW-S) and greater relative right frontal asymmetry. Relative right frontal asymmetry was also linked to contemporaneous psychopathology in all individuals. Conclusion: In the fourth decade of life, exposure to perinatal adversity was associated with patterns of frontal brain activity that reflect risk for psychopathology. Exposure to additional physiological stresses such as antenatal corticosteroids may amplify these effects. Significance: The mental health of ELBW survivors, particularly those exposed to antenatal corticosteroids, should be monitored into adulthood.