Browsing by Author "Kropsu, Hannu"

Objectives Perinatal risk factors, e.g. low birth weight (< 2000g), can cause neuropsychological or cognitive deficits which are observable into adulthood. This pro gradu thesis examines the association of low birth weight with executive function deficits in adulthood (research question 1). Low birth weight can also cause problems in social life and life management manifesting as alcohol over consumption or dependency on: therefore alcohol use was investigated (research question 2). Alcohol consumption and executive functions can be related; an increace in alcohol use could impair executive functions, and vice versa (research question 3). Methods The age of the subjects ranged from 39 to 45 years. 86 of the subjects (61 women, 25 men) were born at a low weight. Other perinatal risk factors (low Apgar score, respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, hypoglycaemia, hyperbilirubinemia, meningitis, sepsis, or maternal diabetes) – group consisted of 328 subjects (148 women, 180 men) and 83 subjects in the control group (46 women, 37 men). Executive function was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A) (n = 497). Alcohol consumption was assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (n = 460). The subjects completed the BRIEF-A questionnare at the end of the neuropsychological examinations and the AUDIT via the Internet or in paper form. Results and conclusions The groups differed from each other in the level of executive functions, with the low birth weigth -group being the weakest. Statistically significant differences were shown in overall executive function, in the regulation of behavior and emotions, in shifting, in planning/organization and in working memory. The observed deficits in executive functions may be due to developmental defects or deficiencies in the brain structures sometimes associated with low birth weight. In terms of alcohol use, the groups did not differ from each other. There was however, an association between the level of alcohol use and the level of executive functions: as executive functions weaken, alcohol consumption increases, and vice versa.