How lung injury and therapeutic oxygen could alter white matter development

Abstract

Developmental brain injury describes a spectrum of neurological pathologies resulting from either antenatal or perinatal injury. This includes both cognitive and motor defects that affect patients for their entire lives. Developmental brain injury can be caused by a spectrum of conditions including stroke, perinatal hypoxia‐ischemia, and intracranial hemorrhage. Additional risk factors have been identified including very low birth weight, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen (O2) supplementation. In fact, infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an inflammatory disease associated with disrupted lung development, have been shown to have decreased cerebral white matter and decreased intracranial volumes. Thus, there appears to be a developmental link between the lung, O2, and the brain that leads to proper myelination. Here, we will discuss what is currently known about the link between O2 and myelination and how scientists are exploring mechanisms through which supplemental O2 and/or lung injury can affect brain development. Consideration of a link between the diseased lung and developing brain will allow clinicians to fine tune their approaches in managing preterm lung disease in order to optimize brain health.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Attenuates Pneumonia-Induced Lung Injury by Modulations of Alveolar Macrophage Bactericidal Activity and M1 Polarization

“…In this study, both FJC-positive cells and lung injury were found in the MTBI group mice, consistent with previous studies (22,29). MTBI attenuated the myelin injury associated with pneumonia, which may be via the expression and regulation of glucocorticoids.…”

Commentary to the in‐focus issue “Perinatal brain injury leading to later neurodevelopmental disorders: Early detection and treatment options”

“…Dettman and Dizon present an important review that has implications for all those who work in hypoxia‐ischemia in newborn brain in humans as well as in animal models (Dettman & Dizon, 2021). They trace the origin of the association between preterm chronic lung injury and white matter impairment to a central role of oxygen levels.…”

“…Dettman and Dizon present an important review that has implications for all those who work in hypoxia-ischemia in newborn brain in humans as well as in animal models (Dettman & Dizon, 2021).…”