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5 - Brain plasticity and long-term function after early cerebral insult: the example of very preterm birth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2010

By
Matthew Allin ,
Chiara Nosarti ,
Larry Rifkin  and
Robin M. Murray
Edited by
Matcheri S. Keshavan ,
James L. Kennedy  and
Robin M. Murray
Matthew Allin
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
Chiara Nosarti
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
Larry Rifkin
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
Matcheri S. Keshavan
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
James L. Kennedy
Affiliation:
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
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Summary

This chapter deals with the developmental plasticity and discusses the recovery, or sparing, of functions and the reorganization of brain structure that occurs as a consequence of early brain injury, using the example of preterm birth. From the public health point of view, one of the most important challenges to early brain plasticity comes from preterm birth. In the assessments of the University College Hospital London (UCHL) very preterm (VPT) cohort, assessments were made of neurological, neuropsychological, and behavioral function. Some of these results are summarized in this chapter. The animal studies suggest that a brain lesion may remain relatively 'silent' until later in life, only causing functional compromise when the neural system involved reaches maturity. It is important to continue to follow up preterm individuals as they enter adulthood and to determine which factors are associated with poor outcome.

Keywords

brain plasticitybrain reorganizationdevelopmental plasticitypreterm birthperinatal brain injuryneural systemearly cerebral insult
Type
Chapter
Information
Neurodevelopment and Schizophrenia , pp. 89 - 108
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2004

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