May 19, 2017
Keio University School of Medicine
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), National Research and Development Agency
Senior Lecturer Ken-ichiro Kubo, Part-time Lecturer Kimiko Deguchi, and Professor Kazunori Nakajima of the Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine, along with Department Head Takeshi Inoue of the Department of Disease Research II, Neuroscience Research Institute, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), have revealed that impaired migration of brain neurons is involved in the cognitive impairment that occurs with high probability in extremely preterm infants born at less than 28 weeks of gestation.
When brain networks are formed, it is crucial for newly generated neurons to migrate to their proper locations in a timely manner. This study found that at the time of birth of extremely preterm infants, neurons that are still migrating are damaged by ischemia, and this is involved in subsequent cognitive impairment. Furthermore, in a study using mice, the researchers discovered a method to prevent the onset of this condition even when ischemia occurs.
The results of this research were published in the American medical journal "JCI Insight" on May 18, 2017 (US Eastern Time).
Please see below for the full press release.