Abstract #4445

Neuroprotective Effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine on Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Induced Brain Injury in Rats

Shiyu Tang^1,2, Jaylyn Waddell³, Mary C. Mckenna³, Su Xu^1,2, Prashant Raghavan¹, and Gullapalli P. Rao^1,2

¹Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ²Core for Translational Research in Imaging, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ³Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States

Cerebral hypoxia ischemia (HI) is a primary cause of perinatal brain injury. Infants surviving HI face risk of abnormal neurodevelopment, motor and intellectual disability. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is neuroprotective while its efficacy in perinatal HI treatment has yet to be shown. To test the neuroprotective efficacy of ALCAR and potential sex differences, we performed in vivo MRI and behavioral tests in a rat model of neonatal HI. Results revealed that ALCAR is neuroprotective in both morphological and behavioral outcomes. Males exhibit more consistent HI-induced functional impairments. ALCAR was effective in ameliorating functional impairments in both males and females.

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