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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
Published on: May 18, 2010
Periventricular leucomalacia: a review
1The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, UK. ivan.blumenthal@norford.fsbusiness.co.uk
Insights
Periventricular leucomalacia, a brain injury in premature infants, results from ischemia reperfusion injury and free radical damage to white matter. Newer imaging techniques help predict disability, with research focusing on preventing cell destruction and using antioxidants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) causes lifelong disability and economic burden in premature infants (<32 weeks gestation).
- PVL involves damage to the poorly vascularized white matter and sensitive oligodendrocyte progenitors (pre-oligodendrocytes).
- Recent imaging reveals diffuse and focal white matter injury components, leading to atrophy, ventriculomegaly, or cystic lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the underlying causes of periventricular leucomalacia.
- To understand the mechanisms of white matter damage in premature infants.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for preventing PVL-related disability.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and recent findings on PVL.
- Analysis of imaging techniques for identifying white matter damage.
- Investigation into the pathophysiology of ischemia reperfusion injury and free radical pathways.
Main Results:
- PVL is characterized as an ischemia reperfusion injury of white matter.
- Free radicals are identified as the final pathway leading to pre-oligodendrocyte destruction and impaired myelination.
- Hypotension, hypocarbia, and infection are identified as contributory factors.
Conclusions:
- New imaging and electroencephalogram (EEG) techniques can improve disability prediction in vulnerable infants.
- Further research is crucial for blocking pre-oligodendrocyte destruction pathways.
- Investigating the safe use of free radical scavengers is essential for therapeutic development.
Unlabelled:
Periventricular leucomalacia is a condition that causes lifelong disability and considerable economic burden. It occurs in premature infants of less than 32 weeks gestation due to their unique anatomical features. The white matter of these infants is poorly vascularised and contains oligodendrocyte progenitors (pre-oligodendrocytes), which are sensitive to the effects of ischaemia and infection. Only recently have newer imaging techniques identified both a diffuse and focal component of white matter damage. The most immature infants with diffuse injury develop white matter atrophy and ventriculomegaly; others with focal injury have cyst formation, resorption and gliosis. Since the original description by Virchow in 1867, much progress has been made in establishing the underlying cause of this condition. It is an ischaemia reperfusion injury of the white matter, free radicals being the final pathway to pre-oligodendrocyte destruction and impaired myelination. Contributory factors include hypotension, hypocarbia and infection.
Conclusion:
new imaging and EEG techniques are likely to improve our ability to predict disability in this vulnerable group of infants. Research is needed into blocking the pathway to pre-oligodendrocyte destruction and the safe use of free radical scavengers.
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