Adverse Effects of Fetal Cocaine Exposure on Neonatal Auditory Information Processing

Abstract

Fetal cocaine exposure was associated with impaired auditory information processing. Both cocaine-exposed and nonexposed control neonates oriented to the familiarization stimulus, but cocaine-exposed neonates displayed impaired habituation. Moreover, cocaine-exposed neonates did not recover or habituate to the novel stimulus or dishabituate to the return of the familiarization stimulus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)