Neurophysiological correlates of memory change in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders treated with choline

BACKGROUND: Prenatal and early postnatal choline supplementation reduces cognitive and behavioral deficits in animal models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In a previously published 9-month clinical trial of choline supplementation in children with FASD, we reported that postnatal choline was associated with improved performance on a hippocampal-dependent recognition memory task. The current paper describes the neurophysiological correlates of that memory performance for trial completers. METHODS: Children with FASD (N = 24) who were enrolled in a clinical trial of choline supplementation were followed for 9 months. Delayed recall on a 9-step elicited imitation task (EI) served as the behavioral measure of recognition memory. Neurophysiological correlates of memory were assessed via event-related potentials (ERP). RESULTS: Delayed recall on EI was correlated with two ERP components commonly associated with recognition memory in young children: middle latency negative component (Nc amplitude; range: r = −0.41 to r = −0.44) and positive slow wave (PSW area under the curve; range: r = −0.45 to r = −0.63). No significant ERP differences were observed between the choline and placebo groups at the conclusion of the trial. CONCLUSION: Although the small sample size limits the ability to draw clear conclusions about the treatment effect of choline on ERP, the results suggest a relationship between memory performance and underlying neurophysiological status in FASD. This trial was registered.