Destruction and reconstruction: Hypoxia and the developing brain

摘要: Preterm infants have a high rate of neurodevelopmental handicap. Recent imaging studies revealed that adverse outcomes are strongly associated with reduced brain growth and neural complexity in later life. Increasing data suggest these chronic deficits primarily reflect acute neuronal glial injury sustained during utero events, such as exposure to severe hypoxia-ischemia inflammation. In the present review we examine recent evidence this impairment is partly due upregulation physiological apoptosis, related input deprivation, output isolation secondary white gray matter damage axonal injury. However, progenitor cells subventricular zone (SVZ) also vulnerable injury, loss part critical population likely further compromises development. Based on concepts impact proposed interventions induced hypothermia endogenous factors be complex, but potentially offer focused ways improving premature birth.