BRAIN MRI FINDINGS IN IUGR RATS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. 9T MRI magnet--Uteroplacental insufficiency and subsequent IUGR affects 3-10% of all pregnancies in this country. Unfortunately, IUGR children are at risk for neurodevelopmental delay and neuroendocrine reprogramming. When rats are rendered IUGR, their brains are characterized by mutiple molecular changes changes including an initial increase in apoptosis, as well as changes in gene expression of proteins such as the glucocorticoid receptor and the L1 cell adhesion molecule. Furthermore, our behavioral studies suggest that hippocampal function may be affected by IUGR. The goal of this work is to correlate MRI findings with the molecular and behavioral findings. Questions of interest include the the differential volumes of the cortex, hippocampus and total brain and the relative degrees of myelination in control and IUGR rats. The most important aspect of this work is the correlation between the molecular/behavioral changes and the MRI finidngs. Understanding the relationship between the two will allow for more specific interpretations of MRI findings in the human IUGR population.