title: VIP-induced neuroprotection of the developing brain.
abstract: Excitotoxicity is a key molecular mechanism of perinatal brain damage and is associated with cerebral palsy and long term cognitive deficits. VIP induces a potent neuroprotection against perinatal excitotoxic white matter damage. VIP does not prevent the initial appearance of white matter lesion but promotes a secondary repair with axonal regrowth. This plasticity mechanism involves an atypical VPAC2 receptor and BDNF production. Stable VIP agonists mimic VIP effects when given systemically and exhibit a large therapeutic window. Unraveling cellular and molecular targets of VIP effects against perinatal white matter lesions could provide a more general rationale to understand the neuroprotection of the developing white matter against excitotoxic insults.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, U676, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Passemard
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sokolowska
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwendimann
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gressens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide