White Matter Characteristics and Cognition in Prenatally Opiate- and Polysubstance-Exposed Children: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Abstract

Prenatally substance-exposed children exhibited lower FA in restricted areas of WM, mostly relatively central, inferior, and posterior, where myelination occurs early in development. Myelin in these areas may be particularly vulnerable to prenatal substance exposure. FA and DR related moderately to cognitive function. Potential confounding factors existed and were considered.