The article by researcher Luz Elena Durán-Carabali, made in partnership with the research group on Pre-Clinical Molecular Image of the Instituto do Cebra do RS, was published in the magazine Journal of Neurochemistry , responsible for disseminating significant original findings, as well as narrative and systematic reviews from medical and research institutions around the world.

Entitled Pre ‐ and early postnatal enriched environmental experiences prevent neonatal hypoxia ‐ ischemia late neurodegeneration via metabolic and neuroplastic mechanisms , the research project is part of a partnership between the neonatal ischemia and neuroprotection laboratory at UFRGS, under the responsibility of prof. Dr. Carlos Alexandre Netto, and the Brain Institute of RS. According to Luz Elena, “the InsCer team contributed actively to both the acquisition of images and the analysis of data and the writing of the recently published article, which involves evaluations carried out during adulthood”, he says.

The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of Environmental Stimulation during pregnancy and lactation on the damage caused by neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in laboratory rats. Hypoxia-ischemia, which is a decrease in oxygen supply and the arrival of blood flow in the newborn's brain, is still considered a public health problem without an existing definitive treatment.

This condition causes problems with motor skills, difficulty learning and interacting with others, or diseases such as epilepsy. In the research, the animals, divided into pregnant and lactating women, were exposed to an environment with the presence of cognitive, sensory stimuli, social interaction and physical activity. The results showed that providing positive and varied stimuli during pregnancy and the first moments of life are very important and can change the outcome of this disease. The article, in English, is available through the link .

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