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University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey 2007 Study documents Widespread Repair of Neonatal Brain Injury from Adult Stem Cells - Neuroscientists at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School have discovered that the neonatal brain possesses a previously unknown capacity to replace damaged neurons in multiple brain regions. Furthermore, their research reveals that the production of these new neurons lasts for at least five months following injury.Levison's study reveals that in addition to neurons acquiring new or different responsibilities, that another adaptive response, one that has not been suspected, occurs. Their data show that large numbers of new neurons are produced from the brain's resident stem cells during their recovery from injury. These findings suggest that these new neurons are further increasing the infant brain's ability to repair itself after injury.

Long-term evaluation of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in infant rats. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI), as a major cause of fetal brain damage, has long-lasting neurological implications. Therefore, therapeutic interventions that attenuate the neuropathological out come of HI while also improving the neurofunctional outcome are of paramount clinical importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term functional and protective actions of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment in an experimental model of cerebral. RESULTS: Granulocyte-colony stimulation promoted somatic growth and prevented brain atrophy and underdevelopment of the heart in infant rats.

PubMed Study Abstract: Vasoparalysis associated with brain damage in asphyxiated term infants - Dept of Neonatalogy, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagaon, Denmark, 1990

Preventable Infant Brain Damage on the Rise - The threat of kernicterus is returning - 2003 article

In large, multicenter clinical studies, a therapy has been shown to significantly lower the risk of lung and brain damage in some very low birthweight premature infants. Results from two randomized clinical trials demonstrate that when given within the first few weeks of life, inhaled nitric oxide helps prevent chronic lung disease in some low birthweight premature infants. In addition, when used within 48 hours after birth, treatment appears to protect some premature newborns from brain injury.

A recent study using high-dose rhEpo (3000 U rhEpo/kg body weight at birth) for neuroprotection in very preterm infants revealed that no signs of adverse effects of early high-dose rhEpo treatment in very preterm infants were identified. Contrary to this, a recent study in PVL of a rat model revealed that using a low dose rhEpo (50-100 U/kg) was effective in the treatment of brain damage induced by hypoxia-ischemia and did not affect normal oligodendrocyte maturity. On this basis, the researchers intent to investigate (1) whether low-dose rhEpo (100 U/kg) or high-dose rhEpo (3,000 U/kg) given to very preterm infants (gestation age < 32 weeks) immediately after birth and subsequently during the first 2 days is safe and possesses neuroprotective properties;(2) whether there are gender differences in response to the hypoxia-ischemic insult and EPO treatment; (3)the pharmacokinetics of low dose and high dose rhEPO.

Neuropathology online - Course material - Asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in mature infants

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study to evaluate the safety of high-dose Erythropoietin (Epo) in infants who did not get enough oxygen during birth. Erythropoietin is a hormone normally found in the body that may protect brain cells from damage due to lack of oxygen.

WebMd - Cerebral Palsy - What Increases Your Risk