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Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: October 28, 2022
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Subcortical brain volumes in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Lilian M N Kebaya1,2, Bhavya Kapoor3,4, Paula Camila Mayorga5
1Neuroscience program, Western University, London, ON, Canada. lkebaya@uwo.ca.
Pediatric Research
|June 23, 2023
Summary
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns is linked to smaller subcortical brain volumes, including the thalamus and basal ganglia. These structural changes are evident even in mild cases, impacting sensory and motor development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental neuroscience
Background:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) poses risks despite therapeutic hypothermia.
- Subcortical structures like the thalamus and basal ganglia may be vulnerable to perinatal asphyxia.
- Adverse developmental outcomes suggest early structural brain alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare subcortical brain macrostructure in neonates with HIE versus healthy controls within the first week of life.
- To investigate the association between HIE severity and subcortical brain volumes.
Main Methods:
- MRI scans of 56 neonates (28 HIE, 28 healthy) within the first week of life.
- Automated extraction of subcortical volumes from T1-weighted MRI images.
- General linear models to assess group differences and within-group associations with HIE severity.
Main Results:
- Neonates with HIE exhibited smaller bilateral thalamic, basal ganglia, right hippocampal, and cerebellar volumes compared to controls (p < 0.02).
- Within the HIE group, mild severity correlated with reduced left/right basal ganglia (p < 0.007) and left hippocampus/thalamus volumes (p < 0.04).
Conclusions:
- HIE is associated with significant alterations in subcortical brain macrostructure, even in the acute neonatal period.
- Early identification of these structural changes is crucial for understanding long-term neurodevelopmental impacts.
