Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
06:24

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia

Published on: May 18, 2010

Periventricular leukomalacia: pathophysiological concerns due to immature development of the brain

Cecelia I Roscigno1

  • 1Nursing Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. graymtr@u.washington.edu

The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
|January 1, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a serious brain injury in preterm infants. Nurses are vital in preventing PVL by identifying at-risk neonates and understanding injury risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neurology
  • Pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a leading cause of brain injury in preterm infants.
  • PVL involves injury and necrosis of myelinated fibers near the lateral ventricles.
  • This condition can lead to lasting deficits in physical, motor, sensory, cognitive, and social development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of nurses in preventing periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in preterm neonates.
  • To emphasize the need for awareness of pathophysiologic concerns related to PVL.
  • To guide nurses in identifying preterm infants at risk for PVL.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of PVL pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of proposed pharmacological interventions and their limitations.
  • Focus on nursing assessment strategies for risk identification.

Main Results:

  • Pharmacological treatments for PVL prevention lack proven efficacy and may have adverse effects.
  • Current treatment strategies focus on injury prevention.
  • Nurses are essential in the prevention and management of PVL.

Conclusions:

  • Nurses play a critical role in PVL prevention through vigilant assessment and risk identification.
  • Understanding the pathophysiology of PVL is crucial for effective nursing care.
  • Further research into safe and effective PVL prevention strategies is warranted.

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse15:26

3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse

Published on: May 19, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...