Iron Depletion in the Substantia Nigra of Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Abstract

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) occurs in 10%–60% of pregnancies and can contribute to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD presents with diverse cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairments. Animal studies suggest PAE disrupts fetal iron homeostasis, but direct evidence in the human brain is lacking. Because iron is essential for neurodevelopmental processes including myelination, neurotransmitter synthesis, and energy metabolism, perturbations in iron deposition may represent a modifiable mechanism linking PAE to adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore whether PAE is associated with brain iron levels at age 7 years, assessed using quantitative susceptibility mapping..