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Published on: June 29, 2013
Brain Outcomes in Runted Piglets: A Translational Model of Fetal Growth Restriction
Kirat K Chand1, Kerstin Pannek2, Paul B Colditz1,3
1UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) causes long-term brain issues in newborns. The FGR piglet model offers a unique way to study these brain changes and develop new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is linked to lasting neurodevelopmental problems in children.
- Current understanding of FGR's impact on the newborn brain is limited, with no available protective interventions.
- Effective therapies require understanding the mechanisms of brain injury in FGR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of the piglet as an animal model for studying FGR-induced brain alterations.
- To compare brain outcomes in human and piglet FGR models using MRI and histology.
- To highlight the potential of the FGR piglet model for developing neuroprotective strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature comparing human and piglet FGR brain outcomes.
- Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological data from FGR piglets and human neonates.
- Discussion of the spontaneous occurrence of FGR in piglets and its relevance.
Main Results:
- FGR piglets spontaneously develop asymmetrical growth restriction with brain sparing, mirroring human FGR.
- Similarities in brain structural and functional changes are observed between FGR humans and piglets.
- The piglet model allows for the study of brain injury mechanisms without confounding experimental interventions.
Conclusions:
- The FGR piglet is a clinically relevant animal model for investigating perinatal brain injury.
- This model provides a platform to uncover mechanisms of FGR-related neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Findings from FGR piglet studies can accelerate the translation of neuroprotective therapies to clinical practice.
Abstract:
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities including learning and behavioral disorders, autism, and cerebral palsy. Persistent changes in brain structure and function that are associated with developmental disabilities are demonstrated in FGR neonates. However, the mechanisms underlying these changes remain to be determined. There are currently no therapeutic interventions available to protect the FGR newborn brain. With the wide range of long-term neurodevelopmental disorders associated with FGR, the use of an animal model appropriate to investigating mechanisms of injury in the FGR newborn is crucial for the development of effective and targeted therapies for babies. Piglets are ideal animals to explore how perinatal insults affect brain structure and function. FGR occurs spontaneously in the piglet, unlike other animal models that require surgical or chemical intervention, allowing brain outcomes to be studied without the confounding impacts of experimental interventions. The FGR piglet mimics many of the human pathophysiological outcomes associated with FGR including asymmetrical growth restriction with brain sparing. This review will discuss the similarities observed in brain outcomes between the FGR human and FGR piglet from a magnetic resonance imaging in the living and a histological perspective. FGR piglet studies provide the opportunity to determine and track mechanisms of brain injury in a clinically relevant animal model of FGR. Findings from these FGR piglet studies may provide critical information to rapidly translate neuroprotective interventions to clinic to improve outcomes for newborn babies.
