ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say evidence suggests cox-2 inhibitor celecoxib -- an arthritis pain reliever -- might cut brain damage risk in premature babies.
The study focused on strengthening blood vessels in a part of the brain that, in premature infants, is extremely fragile and vulnerable to dangerous bleeding. Such bleeding affects about 12,000 U.S. children a year, leaving many permanently affected by cerebral palsy, mental retardation and seizures.
"Stabilizing the blood vessels right before the baby is born is a tremendous opportunity to save the baby from potentially lifelong complications," said Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, a neuroscientist at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
The laboratory research was done primarily at New York Medical College and was led by neonatologist Dr. Praveen Ballabh, who worked with Rochester neuroscientists including Nedergaard, Dr. Steven Goldman and Nanhong Lou.
A research article describing the work appeared in the April issue of Nature Medicine. Nedergaard is to present the study this week in Osaka, Japan, during the neuroscience meeting "Brain '07."
