Uncovering Placental Inflammatory Pathways Affecting the Developing Brain

Dear Colleagues,

The developing brain is highly vulnerable to both inflammatory and ischemic insults, which often converge during critical prenatal and perinatal windows to shape neurodevelopmental outcomes. Increasing evidence positions the placenta not only as a gateway for nutrient and oxygen transfer but also as a key immunological interface whose dysregulation can trigger inflammatory cascades and predispose the fetal brain to injury. In particular, prenatal exposure to infectious or inflammatory stimuli can induce systemic inflammation and circulatory disturbances, increasing susceptibility to brain lesions (including hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal stroke, white matter injuries of premature babies, and other more subtle injuries of the perinatal brain) and associated long-term neurodevelopmental impairments such as cerebral palsy (CP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual deficiency, and learning disabilities.

This Special Issue aims to highlight multidisciplinary research that connects placental inflammation, perinatal brain injury, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We especially encourage studies that dissect the mechanisms by which immune activation and hypoxia–ischemia lead to cerebral injuries, and how such mechanisms contribute to the developmental origins of neurobehavioral disorders arising either at birth or later in life.

Research addressing the following topics is welcome:

• Mechanisms of placental inflammatory response to pathogens and their impact on fetal brain development.
• The role of cytokines or other inflammatory molecules in mediating brain injury and predisposing individuals to postnatal circulatory defects.
• Experimental models linking prenatal infection/inflammation to stroke-related insults and neurobehavioral sequelae.
• Biomarkers of placental inflammation and their correlation with early brain injury and later neurodevelopmental diagnoses.
• Targeted therapeutic interventions aiming to protect the placenta, brain, and other organs.

Both short and full original research articles, as well as reviews, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Guillaume Sébire
Dr. Math Chevin
Guest Editors

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