Altered serum microRNA expression profiles in neonatal seizures

Poster presented at the inaugural INFANT research day - June 16, 2015, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork Ireland<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div>Seizures are more common in the neonatal period than at any other time of life and are linked to poor neurological outcomes including cerebral palsy, lowered IQ and later-life epilepsy. Many neonatal seizures are sub-clinical and difficult to diagnose. Accurate detection requires continuous EEG monitoring, with equipment and expertise not available outside specialist centres. A blood based biomarker of neonatal seizures is urgently needed.</div><div><br></div><div>MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. They are present in biofluids such as blood under normal conditions, and injury to the brain, including seizures, results in unique profiles. We wished to examine the microRNA profile of infants with EEG confirmed neonatal seizures</div><div><br></div><div>MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. They are present in biofluids such as blood under normal conditions, and injury to the brain, including seizures, results in unique profiles. High-throughput RT-qPCR  (OpenArray), was used to profile microRNA in umbilical cord and post natal serum samples at 24h, 48h and 72h, from babies with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, the most common cause of seizures in full-term babies, with and without seizures, and normal controls. </div><div><br></div><div>MicroRNA profiles were significantly altered in infants with HIE and neonatal seizures, compared to HIE without seizures and normal controls. Three microRNAs were differentially expressed at all time-points. These microRNAs include known brain-expressed microRNAs implicated in epilepsy in mature and immature human and rodent brains. </div><div><br></div><div>MicroRNA alterations are present and detectable in umbilical cord blood prior to onset of neonatal seizures and persist throughout the first 72 hours after birth.</div></div><div><br></div