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

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

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Behavioral Health Sciences, Mental Health
Palavra-chave	Psychological Disorders Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Smith, Iris E, Emory University
Committee Members	Coles, Claire, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Emory University schools, faculty or affiliated programs

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