Project Description

This study continues a longitudinal investigation of the developmental cascade of effects due to exposure to cocaine in-utero. Prior to this study, participants were recruited while in-utero and have been followed through age 15. The present RTI International project extends the study through participants' age 20 investigating differences between youths who were exposed to cocaine in-utero versus youths who were exposed to substances other than cocaine in-utero. The specific aims are to: (1) assess effects of prenatally cocaine exposed (PCE) on substance use disorders, antisocial behavior and adaptive functioning in emerging adulthood (EA), (2) determine if cognitive problems previously identified in this cohort among PCE children persist into EA and to examine whether these pre-existing cognitive problems and early behavior problems mediate expected effects of PCE on substance use disorders, antisocial behavior and poor adaptive functioning, and (3) identify environmental and biologic factors that may moderate developmental outcomes in EA among prenatally cocaine/polydrug exposed individuals by examining gender, placement history, elevated blood lead, iron status and childhood adversity. The results of this study will assist in designing properly timed prevention and substance use treatment interventions for emerging adults who may be at risk for costly lifelong problems related to substance use disorders.

Project Partners
NIDA|Case Western Reserve University
Project Open
Open
Countries