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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia
Published on: November 19, 2008
Systemic multipotent adult progenitor cells improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes after preterm
Melinda Barkhuizen1, Ralph van Mechelen2, Marijne Vermeer2
1Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Abstract:
There is an urgent need for therapies that could reduce the disease burden of preterm hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Here, we evaluate the long-term effects of multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) on long-term behavioral outcomes in a preterm rat model of perinatal asphyxia. Rats of both sexes were treated with two doses of MAPCs within 24 h after the insult. Locomotor, cognitive and psychiatric impairments were evaluated starting at 1.5 (juvenile) and 6 months (adult). Hypoxia-ischemia affected locomotion, cognition, and anxiety in a sex-dependent manner, with higher vulnerability observed in males. The MAPC therapy partially attenuated deficits in object recognition memory in females of all tested ages, and in the adult males. The hypoxic insult caused delayed hyperactivity in adult males, which was corrected by MAPC therapy. These results suggest that MAPCs may have long-term benefits for neurodevelopmental outcome after preterm birth and global hypoxia-ischemia, which warrants further preclinical exploration.
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