Topic: preterm neonates

In human, genetic predispositions or deleterious environmental conditions may cause adverse effects on the developing brain. In preterm neonates, oligodendrocytes are particularly vulnerable and hypoxic conditions may result in white matter lesions leading to cerebral palsy and long-term disabilities. The glutamatergic transmission plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of these lesions but it is also a key actor involved in developmental mechanisms such as cell differentiation. Previous studies demonstrated a strong expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor by endothelial cells (e

Functional Ultrasound imaging (fUS) has recently demonstrated the feasibility of assessing functional connectivity (fC) in neonates at bedside1, facilitating brain monitoring in this vulnerable population. Here, we validate fUS in a larger cohort of preterm neonates to investigate fC in a music exposure paradigm for which MRI studies have shown improved structural and functional maturation2,3. Our study involved n=21 preterm neonates (27.6±2.2 gestational week (GW)) born at Geneva University Hospitals : a control group with standard care (n=10) and a second group repeatedly exposed (2 to 3 tim

Hydrocephalus is a disorder that involves accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The incidence is significantly higher in preterm neonates, which is highly associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The sequela of severe IVH manifests post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) that contributes to neurologic morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. There have been numerous animal models to study the mechanism and progression of hydrocephalus since 1913. However, we still lack an IVH-induced hydrocephalus model that accurately reflects the gestational age