Inflammation and the developing brain

The immature brain is especially vulnerable to inflammatory factors, before, during and after birth. This publication presents new insights into the detection, pathophysiology and treatment of inflammation-induced injury in the developing brain from both clinical and basic science perspectives. Cellular mechanisms that lead to perinatal brain injury are presented, with specific emphasis on inflammation, brain development and potential treatment strategies. In particular, studies report on inflammatory pathways involved in perinatal brain injury, including caspases, STAT3, toll-like receptors and oxidative stress. Some data demonstrate how different inflammatory cell types may contribute to the injury, such as microglia and mast cells, and how peripheral organs can influence the cerebral inflammatory response. Further, new developments in neuroprotective therapies using human amnion epithelial cells to reduce inflammation-induced brain damage in the fetus are described. This publication is recommended to both clinicians and basic scientists who are interested in the developing nervous system, its vulnerability to inflammation and the short- and long-term consequences for neurologic development.