Major Depression and its Association to Lower Brain Volume and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Öffentlichkeit

Donati, Giorgina Federica (2014)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/5999n395d?locale=de
Published

Abstract

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are different kinds of disorders that result from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Studies have shown that individuals who have the most severe form of the disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) have microcephaly (lower brain volume). However, few studies have shown the association between microcephaly as a result of FAS and its association to psychological disorders, in particular, major depression. The purpose of this research was to use an already existing set of data on individuals who have been diagnosed with FAS, and study whether there is an association between lower brain volume and the onset of major depression. In order to assess this relationship, a secondary data analysis was performed on 94 African-American young adults identified in the prenatal period. 3 groups (Control, n=27; Alcohol-exposed Neurodevelopmental Disorder, n=37 and Dysmorphic, n=30) have been imaged using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depression was measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The data was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. The results of this research indicate sex differences in amygdala volume, as well as intracranial volume differences within the groups. However, the results of this study did not find an association between lower brain volume as a result of FAS and developing psychological disorders.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………...1
Literature Review……………………………………………………………………………………………....13
Methods………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....20
Results…………………………………………………………………………………………………………........28
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………………………….39
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………45
TABLES
Table 1. Demographics for Study Population……………………………………………………...28
Table 2. Brain Volume and Psychological Disorders among Controls, Alcohol-exposed, and Dysmorphic Groups……………………………………………………………………….31
Table 3. MD Classification among Study Sample………...........................................................33
Table 4. MD CIDI Classification between Control, Dysmorphic, and Alcohol-exposed Groups………………………………………………………………………………………………………………36
Table 5. Logistic Regression Model Using Gender as a co-variate for Predicting MD…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….37
Table 6. Full Logistic Regression Model using Intracranial volume, Amygdala, and Alcohol consumption per week as co-variates for predicting MD………………………....38
FIGURES
Figure1. Diathesis-stress model…………………………………………………………………………11

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Stichwort
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Partnering Agencies
Zuletzt geändert

Primary PDF

Supplemental Files