Developmental Neuroimaging Lab
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol (PAE), and affects 4% of individuals in Canada. Key features of FASD are learning, growth and behaviour problems, and most people with FASD (>90%) also have mental health problems. Depression and anxiety are among the most common. However, treatments for depression and anxiety are much less likely to be effective in individuals with PAE. This is, in part, because we do not understand the brain differences in youth PAE, and how these underlie mental health difficulties. A better knowledge of brain development in children and youth with PAE, and how brain features are related to mental health symptoms, would enable us to target treatments to the right time, place, and individual. *We are also recruiting control participants with no alcohol exposure.
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More Information
​What does the study involve?
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Participation in the PEACH study includes appointments at 3 time points.
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Time 1: Baseline (done over 1 or 2 days)
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1.5 hour appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
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2-4 hour appointment for a cognitive and behavioural assessment
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Time 2: Online Follow-up
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1 year after Baseline visit(s)
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Parent and child will both be asked to complete online questionnaires (15-30 minutes required)
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Time 3: In-person Follow-up (done 1 or 2 days)
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2 years after Baseline visit(s)
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1.5 hour appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
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2-4 hour appointment for a cognitive and behavioural assessment
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the PEACH study, participants must be:
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7-21 years old
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Have confirmed/documented heavy prenatal exposure to alcohol or be diagnosed with FASD,
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OR confirmed absence of alcohol exposure
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Able to speak/understand English
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Able to lie still for approximately 20 minutes (while watching a movie)
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Able to wear ear plugs or headphones
Participants are not eligible for this study if they:
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Have been diagnosed with a neurological or neurodevelopment disorder including autism, cerebral palsy, major intellectual disability, epilepsy; major medical illnesses, congenital abnormalities; genetic disorders associated with motor or cognitive disabilities.
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ADHD, learning disabilities and language delay are OK.
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Have had a major head trauma
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Were born premature (<34 weeks' gestation) or experienced fetal distress.
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Have certain metal implants or metal dental devices that are not MTI compatible (check with us regarding eligibility)
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Are severely claustrophobic
