A Multidisciplinary Research Programme for the evaluation of diagnostic techniques and intervention measures for prenatal brain damage using growth restriction as a model.

PI: Gratacós E
Funding Agency: Cerebra Foundation (United Kingdom)
Duration: 2007-2013

In the majority of children with acquired brain injury, this occurred during prenatal life. While the importance of improving our knowledge on many different aspects concerning brain damage in these children is undisputed, little attention has traditionally been paid to the origins of the problem. However, if there is a chance to reduce the impact of prenatally acquired brain damage, is precisely during fetal life.

The possibility to diagnose brain damage in the fetus and to implement specific interventions to prevent or reduce its impact would represent a major breakthrough in public health. The development of non-invasive techniques will be the key to make this aim a reality. Most of these methods are already there, but there is a need for further research in order to refine and develop better imaging techniques for the fetal brain and new biomarkers which could be measured in the mother.
The main goals of this project are dedicated to the development of research infrastructure and stable multidisciplinary research lines for the prediction and prevention of neurological damage of prenatal origin.