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Intrauterine growth restriction and development of the hippocampus: implications for learning and memory in children

Courtney Gilchrist1, Angela Cumberland2, David Walker2

  • 1School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health
|September 22, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) impacts children's cognitive function, causing memory deficits and reduced hippocampal volume. This study investigates the link between IUGR-induced hippocampal changes and spatial memory impairments.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to placental dysfunction and reduced blood flow.
  • IUGR is associated with cognitive impairments and memory deficits in children, suggesting hippocampal dysfunction.
  • Infants with IUGR exhibit reduced hippocampal volume, indicating early structural changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between structural alterations in the hippocampus and spatial memory deficits in adolescent rats with IUGR.
  • To determine if early and ongoing hippocampal changes in IUGR contribute to long-term cognitive impairments.
  • To provide insights for developing interventions to mitigate IUGR's effects on the hippocampus and cognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental induction of IUGR in animal models.
  • Assessment of hippocampal structure, including neuron numbers and morphology in specific subregions (cornu ammonis fields 1 and 3, dentate gyrus).
  • Evaluation of spatial memory function in adolescent IUGR rats.

Main Results:

  • Experimental IUGR leads to reduced neuron numbers in hippocampal subregions.
  • Morphological alterations are observed in the cornu ammonis fields 1 and 3 and dentate gyrus of IUGR rats.
  • Further research is needed to confirm the direct link between these structural changes and spatial memory deficits.

Conclusions:

  • IUGR causes significant structural changes in the developing hippocampus.
  • These structural alterations may underlie the observed cognitive and spatial memory deficits in IUGR.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for developing targeted interventions for IUGR-related neurodevelopmental issues.

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