Possible New Approach to Neonatal Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Systemically administered nanoparticle-based therapy prevented development of a cerebral-palsy–like condition in newborn rabbits.

Cerebral palsy (CP), which affects about 3 of 1000 children, is characterized by neuroinflammation mediated by activated microglial cells and astrocytes.

Investigators used an experimental condition in baby rabbits that histologically and neurologically resembles human CP to test an agent targeted at neuroinflammation — a nanoparticle (called a dendrimer) fused to N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). The nanoparticle crosses the blood-brain barrier and is taken up selectively by microglial cells and astrocytes. NAC has well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. On postnatal day 1, CP rabbits and healthy rabbits were injected intravenously with nanoparticle alone, nanoparticle fused to NAC, free NAC, or saline. On day 5, the CP rabbi…

Reviewing Author

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate