Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Systems Analysis of the Neuroinflammatory and Hemodynamic Response to Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 27, 2022
Pathophysiological role of inflammatory molecules in paediatric ischaemic brain injury
Marisol Mirabelli-Badenier1, Vincent Braunersreuther, Sébastien Lenglet
1Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, G. Gaslini Institute and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Insights
Pediatric ischemic stroke involves unique pathophysiological processes compared to adults. Targeting inflammation shows promise for improving outcomes in neonatal and childhood stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a significant cause of death and disability in children.
- Pathophysiology of pediatric ischemic stroke differs from adults, with unique molecular mechanisms during neural development.
- Limited research exists on childhood ischemic stroke compared to adult studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiological role of soluble inflammatory mediators in neonatal and childhood ischemic stroke.
- To discuss potential anti-inflammatory treatments for improving pediatric stroke prognosis.
- To highlight the differences in poststroke neuronal injury between neonates and children.
Main Methods:
- Review of basic research studies in neonatal animal models of cerebral ischemia.
- Analysis of preliminary clinical results and ongoing research.
- Synthesis of evidence on soluble inflammatory molecules (cytokines, chemokines, oxidants) in pediatric stroke.
Main Results:
- Soluble inflammatory molecules play a pivotal role in neuronal injury in both perinatal and childhood ischemic stroke.
- Distinct molecular mechanisms may be triggered by ischemic insults during neural development, influencing outcomes.
- Anti-inflammatory strategies show potential for treating perinatal asphyxia encephalopathy.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation is a key factor in pediatric ischemic stroke pathophysiology.
- Targeting inflammation represents a promising therapeutic avenue for neonatal and childhood stroke.
- Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments.
Abstract:
Ischaemic stroke is one of the major causes of death and lifelong disability also in the paediatric population. Strong scientific effort has been put to clarify the pathophysiology of this disease in adults. However, only few studies have been performed in children. Preliminary results indicate that pathophysiological processes might differently affect the poststroke neuronal injury in neonates as compared to children. During the neural development, selective molecular mechanisms might be differently triggered by an ischaemic insult, thus potentially resulting in defined postischaemic clinical outcomes. Basic research studies in neonatal animal models of cerebral ischaemia have recently shown a potential role of soluble inflammatory molecules (such as cytokines, chemokines and oxidants) as pivotal players of neuronal injury in both perinatal and childhood ischaemic stroke. Although larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm these preliminary results, the potential benefits of selective treatments targeting inflammation in perinatal asphyxia encephalopathy might represent a promising investigation field in the near future. In this review, we will update evidence on the pathophysiological role of soluble inflammatory mediators in neonatal and childhood ischaemic stroke. Recent evidence on potential anti-inflammatory treatments to improve paediatric stroke prognosis will be discussed.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
01:15Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
01:38Inflammation