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Care for infants at risk of brain injury

The Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity Program at Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to finding new treatments for newborns at risk of brain injury. Our goal is to bridge the latest research — including discoveries about how the brain adapts and heals — with clinical practice to improve the brain development of our youngest patients. As one of the few programs in the world focused on this critical area, we’re leading the way in offering advanced care and hope for infants facing the challenges of brain injury.

How we approach neuroplasticity in infants

We aim to harness the brain’s natural ability to reorganize and adapt, known as neuroplasticity, to enhance newborns’ recovery from brain injuries. We’re focused on early intervention and innovative therapies that promote resilience and healing. Collaboration is central to our program, as we work closely with the Neonatal Neurogenetics Program, Fetal Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center (FNNDSC), the NICU Growth and Developmental Support Programs (GraDS), and the Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program. Together, our work has three goals:

  1. Drive new and innovative neuroscience solutions to help newborns at risk for brain injuries.
  2. Develop early-stage clinical trials for innovative treatments that can improve recovery after brain injuries.
  3. Involve patients and families in developing supportive interventions and clinical trials that promote neurorecovery.

Our services

Our current priorities center on key areas that support infants with brain injuries and improve the quality of life for these children and their families.

  • Groundbreaking clinical trials: We’re leading a first-of-its-kind clinical trial using metformin to help babies recover from brain injuries caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
  • Innovative techniques: We’re exploring new methods, such as remote ischemic conditioning, to enhance the benefits of therapeutic hypothermia for affected infants.
  • Industry partnerships: We’re working with industry leaders to develop new therapies for neonatal brain injuries.
  • AI in neuroprognostication: We’re using artificial intelligence to improve our ability to predict how well an infant’s brain will recover after injury.
  • Neuromodulation research: We’re exploring new noninvasive methods to stimulate the brain and encourage healing and recovery.

Research and innovation

Our team is dedicated to research and clinical studies that aim to improve care for newborns at risk for brain injuries. By exploring how pregnancy and early life experiences impact brain development and plasticity, we’re working to develop treatments that support healthy brain development and improve outcomes, helping these infants thrive. Some of our key research efforts include: