ASPHYXIAL BRAIN INJURY - THE ROLE OF THE IGF SYSTEM

Transient neural injuries, such as asphyxia, can trigger considerable delayed neuronal death. Inappropriate induction of apoptosis is though t to play an important role in this process. Our studies have shown ma rked changes in the IGF system in the brain in response to these injur ies with an induction of insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 and insulin gro wth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and IGFBP-3 in glial cells in the region of injury. This suggests that the IGF-1 system may be an endog enous neuroprotective system. Earlier administration of IGF-1-2 h afte r injury reduced the phase of secondary neuronal loss suggesting that IGF-1 may well have therapeutic potential as a neuronal rescue agent. The action of IGF-1 appears to involve binding proteins, transport to the site of injury and the IGF-1 receptor and inhibition of apoptosis, but might also involve generation of GPE which itself appears to be n europrotective. Together these results indicate considerable potential of these agents to treat stroke, perinatal asphyxia and other forms o f acute brain injury. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.