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Neuroprotective strategies of cerebrolysin for the treatment of infants with neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy

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Abstract

Background

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a devastating neonatal condition characterized by a lack of oxygen supporting the organ systems. PA can lead to hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a brain dysfunction due to oxygen deprivation with a complex neurological sequela. The pathophysiology of HIE and PA is not entirely understood, with therapeutic hypothermia being the standard treatment with only limited value. However, alternative neuroprotective therapies can be a potential treatment modality.

Methods

In this review, we will characterize the biochemical mechanisms of PA and HIE, while also giving insight into cerebrolysin, a neuroprotective treatment used for HIE and PA.

Results

We found that cerebrolysin has up to 6-month treatment window post-ischemic insult. Cerebrolysin injections of 0.1 ml/kg of body weight twice per week were found to provide gross motor and speech deficit improvement.

Conclusion

Our literature search emphasizes the positive effects of cerebrolysin for general improvement outcomes. Nevertheless, biomarker establishment is warranted to improve patient outcomes.

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Funding

The authors have not received any funding for this work from any organization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Desert Regional Medical Center, 1150 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, 92262, USA

    Brian Fiani

  2. School of Medicine, Ross University, Bridgetown, Barbados

    Daniel Chacon

  3. Department of Neuro-Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ryan Jarrah

  4. School of Medicine, California University of Sciences and Medicine, Colton, CA, USA

    Michaela Barthelmass

  5. School of Medicine, Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, México

    Claudia Covarrubias

Authors
  1. Brian Fiani
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  2. Daniel Chacon
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  3. Ryan Jarrah
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  4. Michaela Barthelmass
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  5. Claudia Covarrubias
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Correspondence to Brian Fiani.

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The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.

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Fiani, B., Chacon, D., Jarrah, R. et al. Neuroprotective strategies of cerebrolysin for the treatment of infants with neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. Acta Neurol Belg 121, 1401–1406 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-021-01795-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-021-01795-y

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