Effects of a potassium channel opener on brain injury and neurologic outcomes in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic injury

Background Hypoxia–ischemia (HI) is the most common cause of brain injury in newborns and the survivors often develop cognitive and sensorimotor disabilities that undermine the quality of life. In the current study, we examined the effectiveness of flupirtine, a potassium channel opener, shown previously in an animal model to have strong anti-neonatal-seizure efficacy, to provide neuroprotection and alleviate later-life disabilities caused by neonatal hypoxic–ischemic injury. Methods The rats were treated with a single dose of flupirtine for 4 days following HI induction in 7-day-old rats. The first dose of flupirtine was given after the induction of HI and during the reperfusion period. The effect of treatment was examined on acute and chronic brain injury, motor functions, and cognitive abilities. Results Flupirtine treatment significantly reduced HI-induced hippocampal and cortical tissue loss at acute time point. Furthermore, at chronic time point, flupirtine reduced contralateral hippocampal volume loss and partially reversed learning and memory impairments but failed to improve motor deficits. Conclusion The flupirtine treatment regimen used in the current study significantly reduced brain injury at acute time point in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. However, these neuroprotective effects were not persistent and only modest improvement in functional outcomes were observed at chronic time points.