Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jose Martinez-Orgado, Maria Villa, Aaron del Pozo
Summary: CBD shows neuroprotective effects in newborn pigs and rodents with HIBI, modulating the major components of HIBI pathophysiology. It has the potential to be an effective treatment for neonatal HIBI.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Kasper Jacobsen Kyng, Sven Wellmann, Verena Lehnerer, Laerke Hjollund Hansen, Jens Kuhle, Tine Brink Henriksen
Summary: This study investigated the changes of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a potential biomarker for brain injury, in a newborn piglet model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed an increase in NfL levels after hypoxia-ischemia (HI), with the highest values observed at 72 hours post-HI. NfL at 72 hours had high sensitivity and specificity for predicting moderate-severe brain injury.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Daniel Alonso-Alconada, Pierre Gressens, Xavier Golay, Nicola J. Robertson
Summary: Hypoxia-ischemia can lead to a decrease in cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the neurogenic niche of the neonatal piglet, which may hinder the replacement of lost neurons and overall repair.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuki Hatayama, Sydney Riddick, Fares Awa, Xiaodi Chen, Daniela Virgintino, Barbara S. Stonestreet
Summary: Exposure to hypoxic-ischemic insults in newborns can lead to severe neurological sequelae. This study investigated the changes in the neurovascular unit (NVU) after hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats. The findings showed increased vascular density, neurovascular remodeling, and changes in pericyte coverage and claudin-5 expression in different brain regions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fuxin Lu, Shujuan Fan, Andrea R. Romo, Duan Xu, Donna M. Ferriero, Xiangning Jiang
Summary: The study demonstrates that serum 24S-HC concentrations predict long-term brain structural and functional outcomes, suggesting it could be a novel and early blood biomarker for severity of neonatal HI brain damage and associated functional impairments.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Raymond C. Stetson, Jane E. Brumbaugh, Amy L. Weaver, Kristin C. Mara, Reese H. Clark, William A. Carey, Jennifer L. Fang
Summary: The study compared the risk of in-hospital mortality and morbidity between outborn and inborn neonates treated with whole body hypothermia. The results showed that outborn status was not significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality, but outborn neonates were more likely to experience seizures, receive anticonvulsant treatment, and undergo gastrostomy tube placement during their hospitalization. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind these disparities and their potential impact on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Daniel Agustin Godoy, Francisco Murillo-Cabezas, Jose Ignacio Suarez, Rafael Badenes, Paolo Pelosi, Chiara Robba
Summary: To ensure neuronal survival after severe traumatic brain injury, sufficient oxygen supply is crucial. Cerebral tissue oxygenation, which is determined by multiple physiological parameters, reflects the adequacy of cerebral perfusion. Brain tissue hypoxia occurs when oxygen supply is inadequate or cannot be utilized at the cellular level. Precision medicine and multimodal monitoring are important in individualized therapeutic interventions for specific brain damage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuki Hatayama, Boram Kim, Xiaodi Chen, Yow-Pin Lim, Joanne O. Davidson, Laura Bennet, Alistair J. Gunn, Barbara S. Stonestreet
Summary: The study demonstrated that ischemia-reperfusion alters the subcellular localization of IAIPs in brain cells, particularly in neurons and microglia. However, no significant changes were observed in oligodendrocytes and proliferating cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kerstin Muelling, Alexa Josephine Fischer, Elena Siakaeva, Mathis Richter, Sharareh Bordbari, Ilona Spyra, Christian Koester, Dirk M. Hermann, Matthias Gunzer, Ursula Felderhoff-Mueser, Ivo Bendix, Jadwiga Jablonska, Josephine Herz
Summary: This study found that neutrophils in the neonatal brain are rapidly activated after experimental hypoxia-ischemia, producing reactive oxygen species and showing an increased proportion of hyperactivated/aged cells compared to peripheral neutrophils. Delayed neutrophil depletion led to reduced cellular neurodegeneration and decreased microglial and astroglial activation, offering new possibilities for therapeutic approaches in post-hypoxic brain injury.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Shan Zhang, Wendong Li, Yiran Xu, Tao Li, Joakim Ek, Xiaoli Zhang, Yafeng Wang, Juan Song, Changlian Zhu, Xiaoyang Wang
Summary: The study found that alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) has neuroprotective effects in preterm brain injury, reducing blood-brain barrier permeability, neuronal cell death, microglia activation, and improving motor function deficiencies. This effect is more pronounced in male mice.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nagat El Demerdash, May W. Chen, Caitlin E. O'Brien, Shawn Adams, Ewa Kulikowicz, Lee J. Martin, Jennifer K. Lee
Summary: The study found that proteasome activity in the neonatal piglet brain varies by region and developmental stage, and can be modulated through pharmacological and genetic means. Hypoxia-ischemia slows initial proteasome performance but enhances ongoing catalytic activity. Further development is needed for proteasome gene targeting using AAV-mediated genetic manipulation in the piglet brain.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ting-ting Li, Dan-qing Xin, Hong-fei Ke, Xi-li Chu, Yi-jing Zhao, Shou-wei Yue, De-xiang Liu, Zhen Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that L-Cysteine administration attenuates neuroinflammation in neonatal mice following hypoxia-ischemia insult by reducing OPN expression in immune cells, leading to improved brain damage and decreased immune cell recruitment. Blocking OPN expression may serve as a new therapeutic target for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Liu-Lin Xiong, Jie Chen, Ruo-Lan Du, Jia Liu, Yan-Jun Chen, Mohammed Al Hawwas, Xin-Fu Zhou, Ting-Hua Wang, Si-Jin Yang, Xue Bai
Summary: The study revealed that the mRNA expression levels of BDNF and its associated enzymes and receptors were upregulated in the ipsilateral hippocampus and cerebral cortex, while downregulated in the contralateral hippocampus and cerebral cortex 6 hours after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. These findings suggest that BDNF and its processing enzymes and receptors may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis and recovery processes of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Paula Brielle Pontes, Ana Elisa Toscano, Diego Cabral Lacerda, Eulalia Rebeca da Silva Araujo, Paulo Cesar Trindade da Costa, Swane Miranda Alves, Jose Luiz de Brito Alves, Raul Manhaes-de-Castro
Summary: Polyphenol supplementation during early life has been found to reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in diseases caused by oxygen deprivation. Evidence suggests that it may also alleviate brain injury and modulate adaptive responses involving phenotypical plasticity. The administration of polyphenols during early life period shows potential in modulating inflammatory and oxidative stress that cause impairments in locomotion, cognitive, and behavioral functions throughout life.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
So Yoon Ahn, Dong Kyung Sung, Yun Sil Chang, Se In Sung, Young Eun Kim, Hyo-Jin Kim, Soon Min Lee, Won Soon Park
Summary: The study suggests that irradiated BDNF-eMSCs outperform naive MSCs in attenuating severe hypoxic ischemic brain injury, showing better paracrine potency and therapeutic efficacy by reducing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, cell death, brain injury progression, apoptotic cell death, astrogliosis, inflammatory responses, and impaired motor function. The findings indicate that BDNF gene-transfected MSCs may offer a more effective therapeutic strategy against severe neonatal HI brain injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marie P. Pittet, Davide Marini, Linh Ly, Stephanie H. Au-Young, Vann Chau, Mike Seed, Steven P. Miller, Cecil D. Hahn
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of electrographic seizures in neonates with complex congenital heart disease before cardiac surgery. The study found that preoperative electrographic seizures were common, all subclinical, and were associated with MRI brain injury and postnatal diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Thiviya Selvanathan, Ting Guo, Eddie Kwan, Vann Chau, Rollin Brant, Anne R. Synnes, Ruth E. Grunau, Steven P. Miller
Summary: Small birth head circumference is associated with poorer neurodevelopment outcomes, while small head circumference at discharge is linked to lower scores in motor, cognitive, and language assessments in children with small birth head circumference. Head circumference strongly correlates with total cerebral volume at term-equivalent age, but total cerebral volume is not associated with developmental outcomes.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea Ovcjak, Aijiao Xiao, Ji-Sun Kim, Baofeng Xu, Vivian Szeto, Ekaterina Turlova, Ahmed Abussaud, Nai-hong Chen, Steven P. Miller, Hong-Shuo Sun, Zhong-Ping Feng
Summary: In this study, the effects of RyR antagonist, dantrolene, on hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury were investigated in neonatal mice. It was found that dantrolene administration reduced the infarction volume and morphological damage induced by HI and improved functional recovery. In vitro experiments showed that dantrolene protected neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced cell death and reduced intracellular calcium levels. These findings suggest that dantrolene exerts neuroprotective effects against neonatal HI brain injury and RyRs may play a role in mediating the ionic imbalance induced by HI, making them a potential target for drug development.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Min Sheng, Ting Guo, Connor Mabbott, Vann Chau, Anne Synnes, Linda S. de Vries, Ruth E. Grunau, Steven P. Miller
Summary: This study evaluated the relationship between ventricular volume and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born very preterm. The results showed that ventricular size at birth was associated with cognitive and motor outcomes at 4.5 years, suggesting abnormal white matter maturation in the setting of enlarged ventricular size.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Developmental
Bronwyn Lamond, Samantha D. Roberts, Steven P. Miller, Shari L. Wade, Tricia S. Williams
Summary: There is a historic lack of research studies on psychosocially geared treatments for congenital and neonatal conditions that impact brain development. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effects of interventions on school and psychological outcomes for children with neonatal brain injury. The results suggest that psychosocial interventions may have positive effects on academic outcomes, behavior, and quality of life.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emma G. Duerden, Mia A. Mclean, Cecil Chau, Ting Guo, Margot Mackay, Vann Chau, Anne Synnes, Steven P. Miller, Ruth E. Grunau
Summary: This study found that in extremely preterm neonates born between 24-28 weeks' gestational age, more invasive procedures were associated with poorer sensory processing. Additionally, in the overall cohort, fewer sensory processing problems were correlated with greater thalamic growth between birth and term-equivalent age.
EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthias W. Wagner, Delvin So, Ting Guo, Lauren Erdman, Min Sheng, S. Ufkes, Ruth E. Grunau, Anne Synnes, Helen M. Branson, Vann Chau, Manohar M. Shroff, Birgit B. Ertl-Wagner, Steven P. Miller
Summary: This study aims to predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm neonates. By using brain MRI and extracting radiomic features, it was found that radiomic features outperformed clinical variables in predicting motor outcomes, and combining the two improved predictive performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jillian Vinall Miller, Vann Chau, Anne Synnes, Steven P. Miller, Ruth E. Grunau
Summary: This study suggests that supportive maternal behavior can buffer the association between early brain dysmaturation and cognitive and language performance, providing an opportunity to promote optimal neurodevelopment in children born very preterm.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Vanna Kazazian, Thiviya Selvanathan, Vann Chau, Emily W. Y. Tam, Steven P. Miller
Summary: Genetic epilepsies, such as KCNQ2 gene variants, can be potential causes of neonatal seizures in infants with complex congenital heart disease. Early recognition of clinical and EEG features can lead to early treatment and improved seizure burden.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mia A. McLean, Olivia C. Scoten, Cecil M. Y. Chau, Anne Synnes, Steven P. Miller, Ruth E. Grunau
Summary: The study investigates the association between neonatal pain-related stress and the development of internalizing behaviors in children born very preterm. It also examines whether supportive parenting behaviors and lower parenting stress can attenuate this association.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Noha Gomaa, Chaini Konwar, Nicole Gladish, Stephanie H. Au-Young, Ting Guo, Min Sheng, Sarah M. Merrill, Edmond Kelly, Vann Chau, Helen M. Branson, Linh G. Ly, Emma G. Duerden, Ruth E. Grunau, Michael S. Kobor, Steven P. Miller
Summary: This cohort study of very preterm neonates suggests that biological aging may be associated with impaired brain growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The associations between epigenetic aging and adverse neonatal brain health warrant further attention.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Shabnam Peyvandi, Duan Xu, James Barkovich, Dawn Gano, Vann Chau, V. Mohan Reddy, Thiviya Selvanathan, Ting Guo, J. William Gaynor, Mike Seed, Steven P. Miller, Patrick McQuillen
Summary: This study examined the rate and changes in preoperative and postoperative brain injury among neonates with complex congenital heart disease. The results showed no significant change in preoperative white matter injury and stroke rates, but a decrease in postoperative white matter injury rate. Higher postoperative blood pressures may explain this decline.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ipsita Goswami, Bryan Maguire, Vann Chau, Emily W. Tam, Elana Pinchefsky, Robyn Whitney, Diane Wilson, Steven P. Miller, Miguel A. Cortez
Summary: This study investigates the association between heart rate variability (HRV) in infants at risk of Infantile Epileptic Spasm Syndrome (IESS) and the clinical onset of IESS. The study found that early HRV patterns may be potential predictors for the development of IESS, providing valuable prognostic information.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Katherine M. Sawicka, Lindsey M. Vogt, Danielle M. Andrade, Hans D. Katzberg, Steven P. Miller, Mahendranath Moharir, David F. Tang-Wai, Ana Marissa Lagman-Bartolome
Summary: This article discusses the current landscape and unmet needs of pediatric to adult transition care in neurology and introduces the activities of the University of Toronto Pediatric-Adult Transition Working Group. The aim is to establish a national neurology transition strategy.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emma G. Duerden, Ting Guo, Cecil Chau, Vann Chau, Anne Synnes, Ruth E. Grunau, Steven P. Miller
Summary: Early exposure to benzodiazepines, specifically midazolam, in neonates may lead to reduced hippocampal volumes in preterm children, which can have long-lasting effects on learning and memory, particularly in boys.