Preface

This special issue of the International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience focuses on perinatal hypoxic/ ischemic brain injury. Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury remains a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in premature infants. Long-term consequences in surviving infants may include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, seizures, and learning and behavioral disorders. We have a wide spectrum of papers related to this important topic, both review articles and original research articles. Many of the studies reported here utilize animal models, and several articles focus on the evaluation of animal models: large animal models and intrauterine insults (Rees et al., 2008), rodent models of neonatal stroke (Sola et al., 2008) and the use ofMRI in animal models of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (Lodygensky et al., 2008). Two of the articles in this issue are studies of the human brain and neurobehavioral development (Folkerth et al., 2008; Smith et al., 2008). The largest group of articles deals with multiple aspects of the pathophysiology of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury, including the influence of developmental stage on the response to injury (Rees et al., 2008; Rodricks et al., 2008), the effects of an adverse intrauterine environment (Rees et al., 2008), the role of inflammation in perinatal brain injury (Barks et al., 2008; Rees et al., 2008), effects on vascular reactivity (Harris et al., 2008), the glial response to hypoxic injury (Sizonenko et al., 2008), and the role of oxidative stress in perinatal ischemic brain injury (Sheldon et al., 2008; Mueller et al., 2008). Hossain (2008) describes a novel neuronal protein, neuronal pentraxin 1, and its role in neuronal cell death and potential neuroprotection. Other neuroprotective strategies that are discussed include erythropoietin (McPherson and Juul, 2008; Sola et al., 2008), magnesium sulfate (Louzoun-Kaplan et al., 2008), and hypothermia (Mueller et al., 2008). Two papers discuss potential adverse and beneficial effects of post-hypoxia treatment with oxygen (Grafe et al., 2008; Smith et al., 2008). We end with an intriguing article by Folkerth et al. (2008) that describes acute neuronal death in stillbirths that may have implications for the pathophysiology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The aim of this issue was to stimulate discussion and further research into all aspects of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury, from basic, mechanistic research to clinical studies. I hope that some readers will be motivated to enter or re-visit this important area of research. References