Pharmacological Neuroprotection of the Preterm Brain: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Sex Differences in Microglia Activation in a Rodent Model of Preterm Hypoxic Ischemic Injury with Caffeine Treatment

Preterm infants are often treated with caffeine as a respiratory stimulant. However, follow-up data shows caffeine may also have neuroprotective potential. There are several theories as to how caffeine might protect the brain, but none have been proven. This study looked at caffeine effects on microglial activation in rodent brains post hypoxic ischemic (HI) injury. Rat pups underwent either sham or HI surgery on P6, followed by treatment with either caffeine or saline. Forty-eight hours post-injury, brains were collected and underwent paraffin embedding and sectioning followed by immunofluorescence staining. Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) was used to label microglia, and 4',6-diamindino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) was used to label DNA. Cell size measurements of microglia were obtained to gauge microglia activation, and chromatin condensation (DAPI optical density) was used as an index of neuronal cell death. Results suggest that caffeine does offer protective effects, based on significantly increased levels of cell death in HI-saline animals not seen in caffeine-treated HI males and females. However, the mechanism of action may be different. Male HI animals showed marginally reduced microglial activation following caffeine treatment, whereas females did not. Results indicate that though caffeine may act protectively in both sexes by reducing cell death, the benefits may be mediated by different mechanisms.

Recent research on the effect of common treatments given in the perinatal period on neurodevelopment in offspring

The perinatal period is the key period for the development of brain and central nervous system, and different events in this period will have a profound influence on brain development. Glucocorticoids, antibiotics, magnesium sulfate, caffeine, pulmonary surfactant, and mild hypothermia treatment are commonly used drugs or treatment methods in the perinatal period and are closely associated with the prognosis of neonatal neurodevelopment. This article reviews the latest research on the effect of perinatal treatments on neonatal neurodevelopment, so as to provide a reference for clinical decision making.