Medical imaging, a tool in early detection of cerebral lesions in the premature baby
Bring progress to the medical perinatal imaging to diagnose cerebral lesions in the premature newborn from the earliest days of its life.
PROJECT LEADERS
Pr Vassilis Tsatsaris, PUPH Gynaecologist-Obstetrician.
Dr Pierre Gressens, Director of Research Inserm and Director of UMR 676 INSERM, University of Paris Diderot, Assistant Director of the PremUp Foundation.
Pr Catherine Adamsbaum, PUPH, Paediatric Radiologist.
Pr Guy Sebag, PUPH Paediatric radiologist.
Context
The first use of antenatal ultrasound dates back to 1957. It has, in the last 30 years, led to a technological revolution, making it possible, most notably, to determine the gestational stage, to diagnose twin pregnancies with 100% accuracy and to pinpoint foetal malformation. In the care of the premature newborn, ultrasound is an essential tool in the study of the brain. At present, the information it provides is sometimes too late. The revolution has not yet been fully achieved and perinatal medical imaging (3D vascular ultrasound and the most advanced MRI ) holds great possibilities for early detection of cerebral lesions in the premature newborn. This axis of research is thus at the heart of the strategy of the foundation.
Objectives
Early detection of cerebral lesions in the premature newborn at the stage of potential reversibility, thanks to a two-pronged experimental approach :
- Use of micro-MRI to detect cerebral lesions in small animals.
- Use of ultra-early cerebral MRI on the premature newborn. Thanks to amagnetic insulators it is now possible to carry out MRIs from the first hours of life, particularly in the extremely premature newborn under artificial respiration.
Utilisation of the latest techniques of medical imaging and adapting them, if need be, to :
- Identify the cells responsible for cerebral lesions so as to facilitate the implementation of treatment.
- Quantify the cerebral vascularisation of the premature through the use of 3D Doppler ultrasound and validate this tool as a prognostic factor in neurological lesions.
Added value of PremUp Foundation
The PremUp Foundation has created a platform of experimental research into perinatal imaging (PremIMAGE) which is unique in France. It makes use of the teams of the INRA (National Institute of Agronomic Research) which provides animal models, as well as an industrial partner for the latest imaging material, and teams of the network's researchers and clinicians working on the brain and the lungs.
Projected budget
| Budget over 3 years | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | TOTAL |
|
3 amagnetic incubators |
750.000 | 750.000 | ||
|
Cost of hiring the Neurospin platform |
10.000 | 10.000 | 10.000 | 30.000 |
| Post-doctoral student | 30.000 | 30.000 | 30.000 | 90.000 |
|
Cost of managing the project |
39.500 | 2.000 | 2.000 | 43.500 |
| 829.500 | 42.000 | 42.000 | 913.500 |
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