Monitoring cerebral oxygenation of preterm infants using a neonatal specific sensor.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral oxygenation (rcSO2) monitoring in preterm infants may identify periods of cerebral hypoxia or hyperoxia. We hypothesised that there was a relationship between rcSO2 values and short term outcome in infants of GA < 32weeks. METHODS: RcSO2 values were recorded for the first 48 h of life using an INVOS monitor with a neonatal sensor. The association between cranial ultrasound scan measured brain injury and rcSO2 was assessed. RESULTS: 120 infants were included. Sixty-nine percent (83) of infants had a normal outcome (no IVH, no PVL, and survival at 1 month); less than one-quarter, 22% (26), had low grade IVH 1 or 2 (moderate outcome); and 9% (11) of infants had a severe outcome (IVH ≥ 3, PVL or died before 1 month age). rcSO2 values were lower for infants GA < 28weeks when compared with those GA 28-32, p < 0.001. There was no difference in absolute rcSO2 values between the three outcome groups but a greater degree of cerebral hypoxia was associated with preterm infants who had low grade 1 or 2 IVH. CONCLUSION: Infants of GA < 28 weeks have lower cerebral oxygenation in the first 2 days of life. A greater degree of hypoxia was seen in infants with grade 1 or 2 haemorrhage. Normative ranges need to be gestation specific.

Bifidobacterium longum 1714 as a translational psychobiotic: modulation of stress, electrophysiology and neurocognition in healthy volunteers.

The emerging concept of psychobiotics-live microorganisms with a potential mental health benefit-represents a novel approach for the management of stress-related conditions. The majority of studies have focused on animal models. Recent preclinical studies have identified the B. longum 1714 strain as a putative psychobiotic with an impact on stress-related behaviors, physiology and cognitive performance. Whether such preclinical effects could be translated to healthy human volunteers remains unknown. We tested whether psychobiotic consumption could affect the stress response, cognition and brain activity patterns. In a within-participants design, healthy volunteers (N=22) completed cognitive assessments, resting electroencephalography and were exposed to a socially evaluated cold pressor test at baseline, post-placebo and post-psychobiotic. Increases in cortisol output and subjective anxiety in response to the socially evaluated cold pressor test were attenuated. Furthermore, daily reported stress was reduced by psychobiotic consumption. We also observed subtle improvements in hippocampus-dependent visuospatial memory performance, as well as enhanced frontal midline electroencephalographic mobility following psychobiotic consumption. These subtle but clear benefits are in line with the predicted impact from preclinical screening platforms. Our results indicate that consumption of B. longum 1714 is associated with reduced stress and improved memory. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the benefits of this putative psychobiotic in relevant stress-related conditions and to unravel the mechanisms underlying such effects.