Each year, around 55,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK. [1-2] Sadly, babies born early are at increased risk of brain injury that can cause lifelong problems such as cerebral palsy, behavioural challenges and learning difficulties. Dr Helen Stolp and Dr Claire Thornton of the Royal Veterinary College are investigating the potential of a new drug to protect the developing brains of these tiny babies during the first weeks of life. This laboratory research could ultimately lead to a safe and effective new treatment to help prevent brain injuries in preterm babies, reducing the risk of life-changing consequences that can significantly impact their health and well-being.

How are children’s lives affected now?

Thanks to advances in medical care, more preterm babies (born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy) are surviving than ever before. However, some babies born early will subsequently be diagnosed with a brain injury, which can lead to long-term challenges affecting their movement, behaviour and thinking.³

“Preterm babies face a significantly higher risk of brain injury around birth compared to full-term babies,” says Dr Stolp. “Unfortunately, there are currently no treatments to reduce this risk.” 

Recent research has shed light on the biological processes that contribute to brain injury during the first weeks of life. These include problems with mitochondria, the cell’s energy-generating powerhouses, leading to inflammation and other types of cell damage in the developing brain – potentially resulting in long-term neurodevelopmental complications in children.  

How could this research help?

“Our ultimate goal is to develop a safe and effective new treatment to reduce the devastating impact of brain injuries in preterm babies,” says Dr Stolp.

The researchers will investigate the potential of a promising drug, currently in clinical trials for other illnesses, to protect the preterm brain from injury shortly after birth. By supporting mitochondrial function, they hope this drug will help boost brain energy reserves, reducing inflammation and other damaging processes, and promoting healthy brain development.

“We will use a laboratory model of brain injury that mimics many aspects of the condition seen in children,” says Dr Stolp. “Our first step will be to confirm that the drug reaches the brain cells most in need of support,  and identify the best time to administer it to maximise its effectiveness.”

The team will then evaluate the drug’s effectiveness at reducing brain injury and its associated behavioural challenges.

“If we can show this drug is both safe and effective at preventing long-term brain injury, we hope this will pave the way for future clinical trials,” says Dr Stolp. 

References

1. Office for National Statistics, Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages - 2021 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/vitalstatisticspopulationandhealthreferencetables [website accessed 21 January 2025]
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - Preterm labour and birth final scope April 2013. http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-cgwave0660/resources/preterm-labour-and-birth-final-scope2.
3. Gale C, et al. Neonatal brain injuries in England: population-based incidence derived from routinely recorded clinical data held in the National Neonatal Research Database. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2018;103(4):F301-F306.

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