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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
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Cerebral volume is unaffected after pre-eclampsia.
L P W Canjels1,2,3, R J Alers1,2, V van de Ven4
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Summary
Brain structure and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were similar in women with and without a history of pre-eclampsia. Cerebral volume changes are age-related, not linked to pre-eclampsia history, in the two decades postpartum.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Obstetrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia is linked to potential long-term neurological and cardiovascular issues.
- Previous studies suggest possible alterations in brain morphology and white-matter hyperintensities (WMHs) after pre-eclampsia, but findings are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare brain structure and WMH load between women with a history of pre-eclampsia and normotensive controls.
- To assess the influence of age on cerebral volumes in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Structural 7-Tesla MRI was used to examine brain volumes and WMH load in 59 formerly pre-eclamptic women and 20 controls.
- Analyses included ANCOVA, Bayes factors, and linear regression, adjusting for age, education, and hypertension.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in global or local brain volumes were found between formerly pre-eclamptic women and controls.
- White matter hyperintensity (WMH) load did not differ between the groups.
- Gray matter volume decreased with age, while cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces increased, independent of pre-eclampsia history.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral volumetric changes are primarily age-related and not associated with pre-eclampsia history within two decades postpartum.
- No evidence suggests an increased WMH load following pre-eclampsia.
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