George P. Chrousos | The human brain and the changes in prematurity

The development of the human brain is a scientifically very exciting subject since it represents the centerstage of our evolution as a species and is related to several functions of the extremely complex human body. From the course of our embryonic development and till the time of our birth, the brain keeps developing and connecting several of its parts in order to safeguard their collaboration in receiving and responding to various stimuli from the environment, thus preparing the individual for the challenges in life.
During the first months of life, we have a transient activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis (HPG axis, responsible among other things with the correct development and function of the neuro-endocrine system). This period is called mini-puberty and is followed by a long dormant period since puberty. The hormones produced during mini-puberty are very crucial not only for the overall development of the child, but also for the development of his/her brain. In cases of pre-term birth, dysfunction of the HPG axis during mini-puberty may be responsible for pathological conditions that follow premature birth and may be developing later in childhood, in adolescence or even in adult life. These conditions involve several systems like the respiratory, the reproductive, the cardiovascular, the endocrine and the nervous system as well as the metabolism.

In Europe, 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, whereas in Greece the percentage is slightly higher, about 12%. Therefore, better understanding of the mechanisms that operate in premature birth and are connected with a constellation of apparently not related pathologies later in life, could lead to novel and personalized therapeutic interventions which will positively affect a large part of the population worldwide (there are about 15 million preterm births worldwide every year). The miniNO research program aims at gaining a better understanding of the molecules involved, like nitric oxide (NO), in the developmental processes that take place during the first days of our life. This knowledge will lead to a better quality of life for millions of individuals from early childhood. Key Words: brain, prematurity, minipuberty, development, nitric oxide

Participants:
George P. Chrousos: Member of the Academy of Athens, Director of the University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, former Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Athens Medical School, and Senior Investigator at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens.