Effect of in utero cocaine exposure on startle and its modification

The effect of prenatal cocaine on acoustic sensorineural reactivity was assessed using reflex modification procedures in infants born to mothers with cocaine abuse (C-exposed). Reflex modification was tested using a controlled eyeblink-eliciting tap to the glabella presented either alone or with a 9...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Developmental pharmacology and therapeutics Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 137
Main Authors:	Anday, E K, Cohen, M E, Kelley, N E, Leitner, D S
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Switzerland 1989
Subjects:	Blinking - drug effects Cocaine - pharmacology Female Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Infant, Newborn Male Pregnancy Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects Reflex - drug effects Reflex, Startle - drug effects
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Summary:	The effect of prenatal cocaine on acoustic sensorineural reactivity was assessed using reflex modification procedures in infants born to mothers with cocaine abuse (C-exposed). Reflex modification was tested using a controlled eyeblink-eliciting tap to the glabella presented either alone or with a 90-dB SPL tone. The results from 19 C-exposed infants were compared to 19 healthy matched drug-free infants. ANOVA comparison of the two groups showed C-exposed infants were more reactive in general, as indicated by a larger glabellar reflex, and more responsive to auditory stimuli, as indicated by an increased blink when the tone accompanied the tap (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that in utero cocaine exposure may have a direct effect on sensorineural processing and may place these infants at risk for cognitive and/or neurological sequelae.
ISSN:	0379-8305
DOI:	10.1159/000480959