CEREBRAL HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC DAMAGE IN THE N EWBORN - CELLULAR MECHANISMS AND EXCITATORY AMINO-ACIDS INVOLVEMENT

Brain damage from hypoxia-ischemia plays a major role in neonatal mort ality and morbidity. Different lesional mechanisms have been proposed. The most recent hypothesis involves the excitatory amino acids, espec ially glutamate. In this review, arguments in favour of a glutamate in volvement in the lesional process are presented, with particular atten tion to the consequences of glutamate fixation on post synaptic recept ors, especially N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Alterations of the int racellular concentration of calcium may also play a role in the pathog enesis of hypoxic-ischemic lesions. A better understanding of the meta bolic processes could lead to new therapeutic possibilities.