CO20: Perinatal brain damage
The “Perinatal Brain Injury” group is a multidisciplinary team composed of neonatologists, neurophysiologists, radiologists, and psychologists who are part of the Andalusian Health Service and provide clinical care.
Our group’s primary focus is the study of the neurobiological basis of neurodevelopmental disorders observed in newborns at high risk of developing them. We focus on two subpopulations of newborns who exhibit greater neurological vulnerability: term newborns exposed to perinatal asphyxia who develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and preterm newborns. We use various advanced neuroimaging techniques, primarily ultrasound (3D brain ultrasound, power Doppler, etc.) and magnetic resonance imaging (DWI, DTI), to study the development of different brain structures. We investigate the association between various biochemical, clinical, and socioeconomic factors and neurodevelopment.
We are investigating the efficacy of various neuroprotective measures in these two populations: in asphyxiated newborns, we have designed and participated in clinical trials examining the effect of various drugs (topiramate, allopurinol), in combination with therapeutic hypothermia, on neurodevelopment; and in preterm newborns, after developing an experimental model of cerebral hemorrhage in collaboration with a basic research group at the University of Cádiz, we are currently studying the effect that various drugs (EPO, caffeine, etc.) have on brain injury and long-term neurological sequelae.
Responsible researcher
- Isabel Benavente Fernández:
- E-mail: isabel.benavente@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0001-9276-1912
Co-Principal Investigator
- Simón Lubián López:
- E-mail: simon.lubian@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0002-2937-778X
Lines of research
- Line 1: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in full-term newborns. Development of a predictive model for prognosis based on neuroimaging, clinical findings, and biochemical data.
- Line 2: Neuroimaging in preterm newborns. Linear measurements using 3D ultrasound in preterm newborns. Relationship to prognosis. Comparison with measurements obtained by MRI. Comparison with fetal averages.
- Line 3: Biomarkers in Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus in Preterm Infants.
- Line 4: Effects of perinatal infection with cytomegalovirus and Ureaplasma urealitycum on the central nervous system.
- Line 5: Experimental murine model of intraventricular hemorrhage. Neuroprotective drugs.
Keywords
- # Neuroimaging
- # Biomarkers
- # Neurological Prognosis
- # Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
- # Prematurity
CO20: Perinatal brain damage
Responsible researcher
Isabel Benavente Fernández:
Adjunct Professor with a Ph.D. Pediatrician / Neonatologist. Puerta del Mar Hospital, Cádiz.
- E-mail: isabel.benavente@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0001-9276-1912
- Research ID: G-7846-2011
- Scopus ID: 23033103000
Co-Principal Investigator
Simón Lubián López:
Associate Professor, University of Cádiz.
- E-mail: simon.lubian@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0002-2937-778X
Members of the Team
- Principal Investigators:
- Isabel Benavente Fernández (PI).
- Simón Lubián López (Co-IR).
- Researchers:
- Almudena Alonso Ojembarrena.
- Mirem Amaya Zuazo Ojeda.
- Antonio Segado Arenas.
- Pamela Zafra Rodríguez.
- Paula Méndez Abad.
- Cristina Gómez Barragán.
- Carmen Rodríguez Barrios.
- Estefanía Ruiz González.
- Irene Gutiérrez Rosa.
- Manuel Lubián Gutiérrez.
- Noelia María Sánchez Gómez.
- Natalia Jiménez Luque.
- Guillermo Ramos Noguera.
CO20: Perinatal brain damage
CO20: Perinatal brain damage
Networks
This groupis an active participant in the following groups: Networks:
Vermont Oxford Network
Visit the website: https://public.vtoxford.org/
RISEUP SPERG
Visit the website: https://sperg.es/
EPIC
Visit the website: https://www.aeped.es/epico
PEDGASnet
Visit the website: https://www.seipweb.es/proyecto-pedgas-net/