Immune-Neurovascular Interactions in Experimental Perinatal and Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke.

Emerging clinical and preclinical data have demonstrated that the pathophysiology of arterial ischemic stroke in the adult, neonates, and children share similar mechanisms that regulate brain damage but also have distinct molecular signatures and involved cellular pathways due to the maturational stage of the central nervous system and the immune system at the time of the insult. In this review, we discuss similarities and differences identified thus far in rodent models of 2 different diseases-neonatal (perinatal) and childhood arterial ischemic stroke. In particular, we review acquired knowledge of the role of resident and peripheral immune populations in modulating outcomes in models of perinatal and childhood arterial ischemic stroke and the most recent and relevant findings in relation to the immune-neurovascular crosstalk, and how the influence of inflammatory mediators is dependent on specific brain maturation stages. Finally, we discuss the current state of treatments geared toward age-appropriate therapies that signal via the immune-neurovascular interaction and consider sex differences to achieve successful translation.

Hypothermia Treatment after Hypoxia-Ischemia in Glutathione Peroxidase-1 Overexpressing Mice.

The developing brain is uniquely susceptible to oxidative stress, and endogenous antioxidant mechanisms are not sufficient to prevent injury from a hypoxic-ischemic challenge. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) activity reduces hypoxic-ischemic injury. Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) also reduces hypoxic-ischemic injury, in the rodent and the human brain, but the benefit is limited. Here, we combined GPX1 overexpression with HT in a P9 mouse model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) to test the effectiveness of both treatments together. Histological analysis showed that wild-type (WT) mice with HT were less injured than WT with normothermia. In the GPX1-tg mice, however, despite a lower median score in the HT-treated mice, there was no significant difference between HT and normothermia. GPX1 protein expression was higher in the cortex of all transgenic groups at 30 min and 24 h, as well as in WT 30 min after HI, with and without HT. GPX1 was higher in the hippocampus of all transgenic groups and WT with HI and normothermia, at 24 h, but not at 30 min. Spectrin 150 was higher in all groups with HI, while spectrin 120 was higher in HI groups only at 24 h. There was reduced ERK1/2 activation in both WT and GPX1-tg HI at 30 min. Thus, with a relatively moderate insult, we see a benefit with cooling in the WT but not the GPX1-tg mouse brain. The fact that we see no benefit with increased GPx1 here in the P9 model (unlike in the P7 model) may indicate that oxidative stress in these older mice is elevated to an extent that increased GPx1 is insufficient for reducing injury. The lack of benefit of overexpressing GPX1 in conjunction with HT after HI indicates that pathways triggered by GPX1 overexpression may interfere with the neuroprotective mechanisms provided by HT.

Recognizing and Responding to the Needs of Future Child and Adult Neurology Care Through the Evolution of Residency Training.

Recent insights into the frequency of occurrence and the genetic and mechanistic basis of nervous system disease have demonstrated that neurologic disorders occur as a spectrum across all ages. To meet future needs of patients with neurologic disease of all ages and prepare for increasing implementaton of precision therapies, greater integration of child and adult neurology residency training is needed. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1005-1007.

Brain metabolism after therapeutic hypothermia for murine hypoxia-ischemia using hyperpolarized [1-13C] pyruvate magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common neurological syndrome in newborns with high mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH), which is standard of care for HIE, mitigates brain injury by suppressing anaerobic metabolism. However, more than 40% of HIE neonates have a poor outcome, even after TH. This study aims to provide metabolic biomarkers for predicting the outcomes of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) after TH using hyperpolarized [1-13C] pyruvate magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Postnatal day 10 (P10) mice with HI underwent TH at 1 h and were scanned at 6-8 h (P10), 24 h (P11), 7 days (P17), and 21 days (P31) post-HI on a 14.1-T NMR spectrometer. The metabolic images were collected, and the conversion rate from pyruvate to lactate and the ratio of lactate to pyruvate in the injured left hemisphere (kPL(L) and Lac/Pyr(L), respectively) were calculated at each timepoint. The outcomes of TH were determined by the assessments of brain injury on T2-weighted images and behavioral tests at later timepoint. kPL(L) and Lac/Pyr(L) over time between the good-outcome and poor-outcome groups and across timepoints within groups were analyzed. We found significant differences in temporal trends of kPL(L) and Lac/Pyr(L) between groups. In the good-outcome group, kPL(L) increased until P31 with a significantly higher value at P31 compared with that at P10, while the level of Lac/Pyr(L) at P31 was notably higher than those at all other timepoints. In the poor-outcome group, kPL(L) and Lac/Pyr(L) increased within 24 h. The kPL(L) value at P11 was considerably higher compared with P10. Discrete temporal changes of kPL(L) and Lac/Pyr(L) after TH between the good-outcome and poor-outcome groups were seen as early as 24 h after HI, reflecting various TH effects on brain anaerobic metabolism, which may provide insights for early screening for response to TH.

Consensus definition and diagnostic criteria for neonatal encephalopathy-study protocol for a real-time modified delphi study.

BACKGROUND: 'Neonatal encephalopathy' (NE) describes a group of conditions in term infants presenting in the earliest days after birth with disturbed neurological function of cerebral origin. NE is aetiologically heterogenous; one cause is peripartum hypoxic ischaemia. Lack of uniformity in the terminology used to describe NE and its diagnostic criteria creates difficulty in the design and interpretation of research and complicates communication with families. The DEFINE study aims to use a modified Delphi approach to form a consensus definition for NE, and diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Directed by an international steering group, we will conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the terminology used in trials of NE, and with their guidance perform an online Real-time Delphi survey to develop a consensus diagnosis and criteria for NE. A consensus meeting will be held to agree on the final terminology and criteria, and the outcome disseminated widely. DISCUSSION: A clear and consistent consensus-based definition of NE and criteria for its diagnosis, achieved by use of a modified Delphi technique, will enable more comparability of research results and improved communication among professionals and with families. IMPACT: The terms Neonatal Encephalopathy and Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy tend to be used interchangeably in the literature to describe a term newborn with signs of encephalopathy at birth. This creates difficulty in communication with families and carers, and between medical professionals and researchers, as well as creating difficulty with performance of research. The DEFINE project will use a Real-time Delphi approach to create a consensus definition for the term 'Neonatal Encephalopathy'. A definition formed by this consensus approach will be accepted and utilised by the neonatal community to improve research, outcomes, and parental experience.

Perinatal Azithromycin Provides Limited Neuroprotection in an Ovine Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury/encephalopathy affects about 1.15 million neonates per year, 96% of whom are born in low- and middle-income countries. Therapeutic hypothermia is not effective in this setting, possibly because injury occurs significantly before birth. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of perinatal azithromycin administration in near-term lambs following global ischemic injury to support earlier treatment approaches. METHODS: Ewes and their lambs of both sexes (n=34, 141-143 days) were randomly assigned to receive azithromycin or placebo before delivery as well as postnatally. Lambs were subjected to severe global hypoxia-ischemia utilizing an acute umbilical cord occlusion model. Outcomes were assessed over a 6-day period. RESULTS: While maternal azithromycin exhibited relatively low placental transfer, azithromycin-treated lambs recovered spontaneous circulation faster following the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and were extubated sooner. Additionally, peri- and postnatal azithromycin administration was well tolerated, demonstrating a 77-hour plasma elimination half-life, as well as significant accumulation in the brain and other tissues. Azithromycin administration resulted in a systemic immunomodulatory effect, demonstrated by reductions in proinflammatory IL-6 (interleukin-6) levels. Treated lambs exhibited a trend toward improved neurodevelopmental outcomes while histological analysis revealed that azithromycin supported white matter preservation and attenuated inflammation in the cingulate and parasagittal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal azithromycin administration enhances neonatal resuscitation, attenuates neuroinflammation, and supports limited improvement of select histological outcomes in an ovine model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury/encephalopathy.

Defining Longer-Term Outcomes in an Ovine Model of Moderate Perinatal Hypoxia-Ischemia.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately 1 million infants born with HIE each year survive with cerebral palsy and/or serious cognitive disabilities. While infants born with mild and severe HIE frequently result in predictable outcomes, infants born with moderate HIE exhibit variable outcomes that are highly unpredictable. Here, we describe an umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) model of moderate HIE with a 6-day follow-up. Near-term lambs (n = 27) were resuscitated after the induction of 5 min of asystole. Following recovery, lambs were assessed to define neurodevelopmental outcomes. At the end of this period, lambs were euthanized, and brains were harvested for histological analysis. Compared with prior models that typically follow lambs for 3 days, the observation of neurobehavioral outcomes for 6 days enabled identification of animals that recover significant neurological function. Approximately 35% of lambs exhibited severe motor deficits throughout the entirety of the 6-day course and, in the most severely affected lambs, developed spastic diparesis similar to that observed in infants who survive severe neonatal HIE (severe, UCOs). Importantly, and similar to outcomes in human neonates, while initially developing significant acidosis and encephalopathy, the remainder of the lambs in this model recovered normal motor activity and exhibited normal neurodevelopmental outcomes by 6 days of life (improved, UCOi). The UCOs group exhibited gliosis and inflammation in both white and gray matters, oligodendrocyte loss, neuronal loss, and cellular death in the hippocampus and cingulate cortex. While the UCOi group exhibited more cellular death and gliosis in the parasagittal cortex, they demonstrated more preserved white matter markers, along with reduced markers of inflammation and lower cellular death and neuronal loss in Ca3 of the hippocampus compared with UCOs lambs. Our large animal model of moderate HIE with prolonged follow-up will help further define pathophysiologic drivers of brain injury while enabling identification of predictive biomarkers that correlate with disease outcomes and ultimately help support development of therapeutic approaches to this challenging clinical scenario.

Long-term cognitive outcomes in term newborns with watershed injury caused by neonatal encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that increasing severity of watershed (WS) injury in neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with worse language outcomes in early childhood. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between neonatal injury patterns and cognitive profile in adolescents with neonatal encephalopathy. METHODS: Term neonates with encephalopathy were prospectively enrolled and imaged using brain MRI from 1999 to 2008. Neonatal brain injury was scored according to the degree of injury in WS and basal ganglia/thalamus (BG/T) areas. The children underwent a neurocognitive assessment and follow-up brain MRI at the age of 10-16 years. The relationship between neonatal brain injury patterns and adolescent cognitive outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: In a cohort of 16 children, neonatal MRI showed WS injury in 7, BG/T injury in 2, and normal imaging in 7. Children with WS injury had lower estimated overall cognitive ability than those with normal imaging. Increasing WS injury score was associated with decreasing estimated overall cognitive ability, Perceptual Reasoning Index, and digit span score. CONCLUSIONS: Children with the WS injury are at an increased risk of having problems in long-term intellectual ability. These cognitive outcomes may underlie early language difficulties seen in children with neonatal WS injury. IMPACT: Adolescents with a history of neonatal encephalopathy and watershed pattern of injury on neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had lower overall cognitive ability, perceptual reasoning skills, and auditory working memory than those with normal neonatal imaging. Children with post-neonatal epilepsy and cerebral palsy had the worst cognitive outcomes. Watershed pattern of injury confers high long-term differences in intellectual ability.

Neuronal deficiency of hypoxia-inducible factor 2α increases hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice.

The cellular responses to hypoxia or hypoxia-ischemia (HI) are governed largely by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors. Our previous studies show that HIF-1α induction is an important factor that mediates protective effects in the brain after neonatal HI. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of another closely related HIF α isoform, HIF-2α, specifically the neuronal HIF-2α, to brain HI injury. Homozygous transgenic mice with a floxed exon 2 of HIF-2α were bred with CaMKIIα-Cre mice to generate a mouse line with selective deletion of HIF-2α in forebrain neurons. These mice, along with their wildtype littermates, were subjected to HI at postnatal day 9. Brain injury at different ages was evaluated by the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and spectrin breakdown products at 24 hr; and histologically at 6 days or 3 months after HI. Multiple behavioral tests were performed at 3 months, prior to sacrifice. Loss of neuronal HIF-2α exacerbated brain injury during the acute (24 hr) and subacute phases (6 days), with a trend toward more severe volume loss in the adult brain. The long-term brain function for coordinated movement and recognition memory, however, were not impacted in the neuronal HIF-2α deficient mice. Our data suggest that, similar to HIF-1α, neuronal HIF-2α promotes cell survival in the immature mouse brain. The two HIF alpha isoforms may act through partially overlapping or distinct transcriptional targets to mediate their intrinsic protective responses against neonatal HI brain injury.

Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts 30-Month Outcomes after Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of therapeutic hypothermia with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and 30-month neurodevelopment in term neonatal encephalopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of 30-month neurodevelopment (IQR 19.0-31.4) in a prospective cohort of mild-to-severe neonatal encephalopathy imaged on day 4 (1993-2017 with institutional implementation of therapeutic hypothermia in 2007). MRI injury was classified as normal, watershed, or basal ganglia/thalamus. Abnormal motor outcome was defined as Bayley-II psychomotor developmental index <70, Bayley-III motor score <85 or functional motor deficit. Abnormal cognitive outcome was defined as Bayley-II mental developmental index <70 or Bayley-III cognitive score <85. Abnormal composite outcome was defined as abnormal motor and/or cognitive outcome, or death. The association of therapeutic hypothermia with MRI and outcomes was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression adjusted for propensity to receive therapeutic hypothermia. RESULTS: Follow-up was available in 317 (78%) surviving children, of whom 155 (49%) received therapeutic hypothermia. Adjusting for propensity, therapeutic hypothermia was independently associated with decreased odds of abnormal motor (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06-0.40, P < .001) and cognitive (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.33, P < .001) outcomes. This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for injury pattern. The predictive accuracy of MRI pattern for abnormal composite outcome was unchanged between therapeutic hypothermia-treated (area under the receiver operating curve 0.76; 95% CI 0.61-0.91) and untreated (area under the receiver operating curve 0.74; 95% CI 0.67-0.81) infants. The negative predictive value of normal MRI was high in therapeutic hypothermia-treated and untreated infants (motor 96% vs 90%; cognitive 99% vs 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic hypothermia is associated with lower rates of brain injury and adverse 30-month outcomes after neonatal encephalopathy. The predictive accuracy of MRI in the first week of life is unchanged by therapeutic hypothermia. Normal MRI remains reassuring for normal 30-month outcome after therapeutic hypothermia.

Neonatal presentation of genetic epilepsies: Early differentiation from acute provoked seizures.

OBJECTIVE: Although most seizures in neonates are due to acute brain injury, some represent the first sign of neonatal onset genetic epilepsies. Delay in recognition and lack of expert assessment of neonates with epilepsy may result in worse developmental outcomes. As in older children and adults, seizure semiology in neonates is an essential determinant in diagnosis. We aimed to establish whether seizure type at presentation in neonates can suggest a genetic etiology. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of seizures in neonates admitted in two Level IV neonatal intensive care units, diagnosed with genetic epilepsy, for whom a video-EEG recording at presentation was available for review, and compared them on a 1:2 ratio with neonates with seizures due to stroke or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. RESULTS: Twenty neonates with genetic epilepsy were identified and compared to 40 neonates with acute provoked seizures. Genetic epilepsies were associated with pathogenic variants in KCNQ2 (n = 12), KCNQ3 (n = 2), SCN2A (n = 2), KCNT1 (n = 1), PRRT2 (n = 1), and BRAT1 (n = 2). All neonates with genetic epilepsy had seizures with clinical correlates that were either tonic (18/20) or myoclonic (2/20). In contrast, 17 of 40 (42%) neonates with acute provoked seizures had electrographic only seizures, and the majority of the remainder had clonic seizures. Time to first seizure was longer in neonates with genetic epilepsies (median = 60 h of life) compared to neonates with acute provoked seizures (median = 15 h of life, p < .001). Sodium channel-blocking antiseizure medications were effective in 13 of 14 (92%) neonates with tonic seizures who were trialed at onset or during the course of the epilepsy. SIGNIFICANCE: Seizure semiology is an easily accessible sign of genetic epilepsies in neonates. Early identification of the seizure type can prompt appropriate workup and treatment. Tonic seizures are associated with channelopathies and are often controlled by sodium channel-blocking antiseizure medications.

Changes in arginase isoforms in a murine model of neonatal brain hypoxia-ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Arginases (ARG isoforms, ARG-1/ARG-2) are key regulatory enzymes of inflammation and tissue repair; however, their role after neonatal brain hypoxia (H) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) remains unknown. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice subjected to the Vannucci procedure on postnatal day (P9) were sacrificed at different timepoints. The degree of brain damage was assessed histologically. ARG spatiotemporal localization was determined via immunohistochemistry. ARG expression was measured by Western blot and activity spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: ARG isoform expression increased during neurodevelopment (P9-P17) in the cortex and hippocampus. This was suppressed with H and HI only in the hippocampus. In the cortex, both isoforms increased with H alone and only ARG-2 increased with HI at 3 days. ARG activity during neurodevelopment remained unchanged, but increased at 1 day with H and not HI. ARG-1 localized with microglia at the injury site as early as 4 h after injury, while ARG-2 localized with neurons. CONCLUSIONS: ARG isoform expression increases with age from P9 to P17, but is suppressed by injury specifically in the hippocampus and not in the cortex. Both levels and activity of ARG isoforms increase with H, while ARG-1 immunolabelling is upregulated in the HI cortex. Evidently, ARG isoforms in the brain differ in spatiotemporal localization, expression, and activity during neurodevelopment and after injury. IMPACT: Arginase isoforms change during neurodevelopment and after neonatal brain HI. This is the first study investigating the key enzymes of inflammation and tissue repair called arginases following murine neonatal brain HI. The highly region- and cell-specific expression suggests the possibility of specific functions of arginases. ARG-1 in microglia at the injury site may regulate neuroinflammation, while ARG-2 in neurons of developmental structures may impact neurodevelopment. While further studies are needed to describe the exact role of ARGs after neonatal brain HI, our study adds valuable data on anatomical localization and expression of ARGs in brain during development and after stroke.

Training in neonatal neurocritical care: a proposal for a hybrid model of competence by design and time-based methods.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal neurocritical care (NNCC) is a rapidly advancing field with limited fellowship training available in locally developed, non-accredited programs. A standardized survey aimed to understand the training backgrounds of individuals practicing NNCC, the structure of existing clinical NNCC services/training programs, and suggested clinical competencies for new graduates. METHODS: We developed an anonymous survey electronically sent to members of societies related to NNCC. Using the survey results as a guide, we discuss a competence by design (CBD) curriculum as a complementary approach to traditional time-based training. RESULTS: There were 82 responses to the survey from 30 countries; 95% of respondents were physicians. Thirty-one (42%) institutions reported having an NNCC service, 24 (29%) individuals reported formal NNCC training, 81% reported "significant variability" across NNCC training programs, and 88% were both in favor of standardizing training programs and pursuing formal accreditation for NNCC in the next 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The survey results demonstrate international interest in standardizing NNCC training and development of an accreditation or certification process. We propose consideration of a CBD-type curriculum as a training approach to focus on the development of specific NNCC competencies, rather than assuming the acquisition of these competencies based on time as a surrogate. IMPACT: Continued growth and development in the field of NNCC has led to increasing need for training programs suited to meet the diverse needs of trainees from varied backgrounds. We present the results of an international survey that assessed the structure of existing training programs and the priority areas in which graduates must demonstrate competence, highlighting the combination of CBD and time-based training as one approach to address these recommendations. The survey results support interest in translating published training competencies, existing expertise, and infrastructure across centers into a standardized curriculum for NNCC including certification opportunities.

A Metabolomics Study of Hypoxia Ischemia during Mouse Brain Development Using Hyperpolarized 13C.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpolarized 13C spectroscopic magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an advanced imaging tool that may provide important real-time information about brain metabolism. METHODS: Mice underwent unilateral hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on postnatal day (P)10. Injured and sham mice were scanned at P10, P17, and P31. We used hyperpolarized 13C MRS to investigate the metabolic exchange of pyruvate to lactate in real time during brain development following HI. 13C-1-labeled pyruvate was hyperpolarized and injected into the tail vein through a tail-vein catheter. Chemical-shift imaging was performed to acquire spectral-spatial information of the metabolites in the brain. A voxel placed on each of the injured and contralateral hemispheres was chosen for comparison. The difference in pyruvate delivery and lactate to pyruvate ratio was calculated for each of the voxels at each time point. The normalized lactate level of the injured hemisphere was also calculated for each mouse at each of the scanning time points. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in pyruvate delivery and a higher lactate to pyruvate ratio in the ipsilateral (HI) hemisphere at P10. The differences decreased at P17 and disappeared at P31. The normalized lactate level in the injured hemisphere increased from P10 to P31 in both sham and HI mice without brain injury. CONCLUSION: We describe a method for detecting and monitoring the evolution of HI injury during brain maturation which could prove to be an excellent biomarker of injury.

Management of Stroke in Neonates and Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Purpose- Much has transpired since the last scientific statement on pediatric stroke was published 10 years ago. Although stroke has long been recognized as an adult health problem causing substantial morbidity and mortality, it is also an important cause of acquired brain injury in young patients, occurring most commonly in the neonate and throughout childhood. This scientific statement represents a synthesis of data and a consensus of the leading experts in childhood cardiovascular disease and stroke. Methods- Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee and the American Heart Association's Manuscript Oversight Committee and were chosen to reflect the expertise of the subject matter. The writers used systematic literature reviews, references to published clinical and epidemiology studies, morbidity and mortality reports, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence and to indicate gaps in current knowledge. This scientific statement is based on expert consensus considerations for clinical practice. Results- Annualized pediatric stroke incidence rates, including both neonatal and later childhood stroke and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, range from 3 to 25 per 100 000 children in developed countries. Newborns have the highest risk ratio: 1 in 4000 live births. Stroke is a clinical syndrome. Delays in diagnosis are common in both perinatal and childhood stroke but for different reasons. To develop new strategies for prevention and treatment, disease processes and risk factors that lead to pediatric stroke are discussed here to aid the clinician in rapid diagnosis and treatment. The many important differences that affect the pathophysiology and treatment of childhood stroke are discussed in each section. Conclusions- Here we provide updates on perinatal and childhood stroke with a focus on the subtypes, including arterial ischemic, venous thrombotic, and hemorrhagic stroke, and updates in regard to areas of childhood stroke that have not received close attention such as sickle cell disease. Each section is highlighted with considerations for clinical practice, attendant controversies, and knowledge gaps. This statement provides the practicing provider with much-needed updated information in this field.

HIF1α Signaling in the Endogenous Protective Responses after Neonatal Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is a key regulator of oxygen homeostasis, and its target genes mediate adaptive, protective, and pathological processes. The role of HIF1α in neuronal survival is controversial and the brain maturation stage is important in determining its function in brain ischemia or hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In this study, we used neuron-specific HIF1α knockout mice at postnatal day 9 (P9), and immature cortical neurons (days 7-8 in vitro) treated with the HIF1α inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) or stabilizer dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), to examine the function of neuronal HIF1α in neonatal HI in vivo (Vannucci model) and in vitro (oxygen glucose deprivation, OGD). Inhibition of HIF1α with 2ME2 in primary neurons or deletion of neuronal HIF1α in P9 mice increased both necrotic and apoptotic cell death following HI, as evaluated by the protein levels of 145/150-kDa and 120-kDa spectrin breakdown products 24 h after HI. DMOG attenuated neuronal death right after OGD. Acute pharmacological manipulation of HIF1α synchronously regulated the expression of its targets, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (Epo), in the same manner. The in vivo findings agree with our previous data using the same HIF1α-deficient mice at an earlier age. This study confirms the role of neuronal HIF1α signaling in the endogenous protective responses following HI in the developing brain.

Early changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in neonates with encephalopathy are associated with remote epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal seizures are associated with adverse neurologic sequelae including epilepsy in childhood. Here we aim to determine whether levels of cytokines in neonates with brain injury are associated with acute symptomatic seizures or remote epilepsy. METHODS: This is a cohort study of term newborns with encephalopathy at UCSF between 10/1993 and 1/2000 who had dried blood spots. Maternal, perinatal/postnatal, neuroimaging, and epilepsy variables were abstracted by chart review. Logistic regression was used to compare levels of cytokines with acute seizures and the development of epilepsy. RESULTS: In a cohort of 26 newborns with neonatal encephalopathy at risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with blood spots for analysis, diffuse alterations in both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels were observed between those with (11/28, 39%) and without acute symptomatic seizures. Seventeen of the 26 (63%) patients had >2 years of follow-up and 4/17 (24%) developed epilepsy. Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α within the IL-1ß pathway were significantly associated with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the IL-1ß pathway were associated with later onset of epilepsy. Larger cohort studies are needed to confirm the predictive value of these circulating biomarkers.

Plasma cholesterol levels and brain development in preterm newborns.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether postnatal plasma cholesterol levels are associated with microstructural and macrostructural regional brain development in preterm newborns. METHODS: Sixty preterm newborns (born 24-32 weeks gestational age) were assessed using MRI studies soon after birth and again at term-equivalent age. Blood samples were obtained within 7 days of each MRI scan to analyze for plasma cholesterol and lathosterol (a marker of endogenous cholesterol synthesis) levels. Outcomes were assessed at 3 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition. RESULTS: Early plasma lathosterol levels were associated with increased axial and radial diffusivities and increased volume of the subcortical white matter. Early plasma cholesterol levels were associated with increased volume of the cerebellum. Early plasma lathosterol levels were associated with a 2-point decrease in motor scores at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Higher early endogenous cholesterol synthesis is associated with worse microstructural measures and larger volumes in the subcortical white matter that may signify regional edema and worse motor outcomes. Higher early cholesterol is associated with improved cerebellar volumes. Further work is needed to better understand how the balance of cholesterol supply and endogenous synthesis impacts preterm brain development, especially if these may be modifiable factors to improve outcomes.

The neurointensive nursery: concept, development, and insights gained.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the advent of therapeutic hypothermia for treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and improvements in neuroimaging and bedside neuromonitoring, a new era of neonatal brain-focused care has emerged in recent years. We describe the development of the first neurointensive care nursery (NICN) as a model for comanagement of neonates with identified neurologic risk factors by a multidisciplinary team constituted of neurologists, neonatologists, specialized nurses, and others with the goal of optimizing management, preventing secondary injury and maximizing long-term outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Optimizing brain metabolic environment and perfusion and preventing secondary brain injury are key to neurocritical care. This includes close management of temperature, blood pressure, oxygenation, carbon dioxide, and glucose levels. Early developmental interventions and involvement of physical and occupational therapy provide additional assessment information. Finally, long-term follow-up is essential for any neurocritical care program. SUMMARY: The NICN model aims to optimize evidence-based care of infants at risk for neurologic injury. Results from ongoing hypothermia and neuroprotective trials are likely to yield additional treatments. New technologies, such as functional MRI, continuous neurophysiological assessment, and whole genomic approaches to rapid diagnosis may further enhance clinical protocols and neonatal precision medicine. Importantly, advances in neurocritical care improve our ability to provide comprehensive information when counseling families. Long-term follow-up data will determine if the NICN/Neuro-NICU provides enduring benefit to infants at risk for neurologic injury.