Genes play key role in brain injury risk for premature babies

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

19-May-2014

Contact: Eleanor Cowie eleanor.cowie@ed.ac.uk 44-131-650-6382 University of Edinburgh

Premature babies' risk of brain injury is influenced by their genes, a new study suggests.

Researchers have identified a link between injury to the developing brain and common variation in genes associated with schizophrenia and the metabolism of fat.

The study builds on previous research, which has shown that being born prematurely before 37 weeks is a leading cause of learning and behavioural difficulties in childhood.

Around half of infants weighing less than 1500g at birth go on to experience difficulties in learning and attention at school age.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and King's College London studied genetic samples and MRI scans of more than 80 premature infants at the time of discharge from hospital.

The tests and scans revealed that variation in the genetic code of genes known as ARVCF and FADS2 influenced the risk of brain injury on MRI in the babies.

Researchers say that future studies could look at how changes in these genes may bring about this risk of or resilience to brain injury.

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Genes play key role in brain injury risk for premature babies