Protecting the Brain from Injury at Preterm Delivery

Brain injury is common in preterm infants and is a major cause of long-term adverse neurodevelopment, including mental disability and cerebral palsy. Human data and animal studies have shown that brain injury pertaining to preterm birth occurs through two major mechanisms: 1) an inflammatory cascade in the brain and 2) alterations to cerebral blood flow. Our current research is focused on understanding events that occur in utero, during the time of birth, and upon subsequent respiratory support after birth, can lead to brain injury in preterm neonates. Several projects will focus on establishing techniques to reduce/prevent brain injury related to perinatal events. The experiments include whole-animal physiology, molecular biology and immunohistochemistry.