Potential for protection and repair following injury to the developing brain: a role for erythropoietin?
Perinatal brain injury is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality, and a considerable number of these children will develop long term neurodevelopmental disabilities. Despite the severe clinical and socio-economic significance and the advances in neonatal care over the past twenty years, no therapy yet exists that effectively prevents or ameliorates detrimental neurodevelopmental effects in cases of perinatal/neonatal brain injury. Our objective is to review recent evidence in relation to the pervading hypothesis for targeting time-dependent molecular and cellular repair mechanisms in the developing brain. In addition we review several potential neuroprotective strategies specific to the developing nervous system, with a focus on erythropoietin (Epo) because of its potential role in protection as well as repair.
Sola
Augusto
A
Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. asola2@emory.edu
Wen
Tong-Chun
TC
Hamrick
Shannon E G
SE
Ferriero
Donna M
DM
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000502:physiology*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D014945:Wound Healing
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D016877:Oxidants; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D004921:Erythropoietin