[Oxytocin as a neuroprotective strategy in neonates: concept and preclinical evidence]

Abstract

Objective: Prematurity and intra-uterine growth retardation are responsible for brain damage associated with various neurocognitive and behavioral disorders in more than 9 million children each year. Most pharmacological strategies aimed at preventing perinatal brain injury have not demonstrated substantial clinical benefits so far. In contrast, enrichment of the newborn's environment appears to have positive effects on brain structure and function, influences newborn hormonal responses, and has lasting neurobehavioral consequences during infancy and adulthood. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide released by the hypothalamus, may represent the hormonal basis for these long-term effects.

Method: This review of the literature summarizes the knowledge concerning the effect of OT in the newborn and the preclinical data supporting its neuroprotective effect.

Results: OT plays a role during the perinatal period, in parent-child attachment and in social behavior. Furthermore, preclinical studies strongly suggest that endogenous and synthetic OT is capable of regulating the inflammatory response of the central nervous system in response to situations of prematurity or more generally insults to the developing brain. The long-term effect of synthetic OT administration during labor is also discussed.

Conclusion: All the conceptual and experimental data converge to indicate that OT would be a promising candidate for neonatal neuroprotection, in particular through the regulation of neuroinflammation.

Keywords: Lésions cérébrales; Microglia; Microglie; Neuroprotection; Nouveau-né prématuré; Oxytocin; Oxytocine; Preterm infants.