Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia
Published on: November 19, 2008
Region-specific reduction in brain volume in young adults with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
Tina Bregant1, Milan Rados, Lana Vasung
1Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoriceva 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Young adults with mild-moderate perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) show reduced brain volumes, particularly in the temporal lobe and parahippocampal gyrus. These findings highlight subtle structural brain changes in individuals with a history of HIE.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) can lead to severe neurological deficits or milder cognitive impairments.
- Understanding the long-term brain structural consequences of mild-moderate HIE is crucial for predicting outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total brain volumes and specific cortical measurements in young adults with mild-moderate HIE against a healthy control group.
- To identify region-specific brain alterations associated with perinatal HIE.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging was conducted on 14 young adults with mild-moderate HIE and age/gender-matched healthy controls.
- Automated volumetric analysis (CIVET pipeline) assessed total brain volume, grey/white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid.
- Cortical measurements included gyrification index, volume, thickness, and area across various brain regions.
Main Results:
- The HIE group exhibited smaller absolute volumetric data compared to controls.
- Significant reductions were observed in the right hemisphere's gyrification index, right temporal lobe/parahippocampal gyrus cortical areas, right temporal lobe cortical volumes, and right cingulate gyrus isthmus cortical thickness.
- Male HIE patients showed significant reductions in whole brain volume, parietal/temporal cortical areas, and temporal lobe cortical volume.
Conclusions:
- Mild-moderate perinatal HIE is associated with reduced whole brain volumes in young adulthood.
- The most pronounced reductions were noted in the temporal lobe and parahippocampal gyrus, indicating these areas are particularly vulnerable.
Background:
A severe form of perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) carries a high risk of perinatal death and severe neurological sequelae while in mild HIE only discrete cognitive disorders may occur.
Aim:
To compare total brain volumes and region-specific cortical measurements between young adults with mild-moderate perinatal HIE and a healthy control group of the same age.
Methods:
MR imaging was performed in a cohort of 14 young adults (9 males, 5 females) with a history of mild or moderate perinatal HIE. The control group consisted of healthy participants, matched with HIE group by age and gender. Volumetric analysis was done after the processing of MR images using a fully automated CIVET pipeline. We measured gyrification indexes, total brain volume, volume of grey and white matter, and of cerebrospinal fluid. We also measured volume, thickness and area of the cerebral cortex in the parietal, occipital, frontal, and temporal lobe, and of the isthmus cinguli, parahippocampal and cingulated gyrus, and insula.
Results:
The HIE patient group showed smaller absolute volumetric data. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions of gyrification index in the right hemisphere, of cortical areas in the right temporal lobe and parahippocampal gyrus, of cortical volumes in the right temporal lobe and of cortical thickness in the right isthmus of the cingulate gyrus were found. Comparison between the healthy group and the HIE group of the same gender showed statistically significant changes in the male HIE patients, where a significant reduction was found in whole brain volume; left parietal, bilateral temporal, and right parahippocampal gyrus cortical areas; and bilateral temporal lobe cortical volume.
Conclusions:
Our analysis of total brain volumes and region-specific corticometric parameters suggests that mild-moderate forms of perinatal HIE lead to reductions in whole brain volumes. In the study reductions were most pronounced in temporal lobe and parahippocampal gyrus.
