Advanced MRI techniques provide a window into the neonatal brain. They allow us to study the impact of a perinatal insult on brain microstructure and metabolism as well as the potential impact of neuroprotective strategies, such as hypothermia, for neonatal encephalopathy. Our findings suggest that neonates with encephalopathy who are treated with hypothermia have less extensive brain injury and have preserved metabolite ratios. Our current work is now focused on determining whether MRS and DTI can inform us of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in these at-risk neonates. We also hypothesize that advanced techniques obtained early during the course of therapy will be crucial in identifying those infants who may be appropriate candidates for future trials of therapy adjunctive to hypothermia.

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