Understanding and treating eclampsia

Purpose and aims:To understand the pathophysiology behind and effects of current and new treatments of cerebral complications in preeclampsia, the most common causes of direct maternal death and risk factors for later neurological disease.

The project also aims to investigate possible predictors of cerebral complications in preeclampsia including cerebral biomarkers to improve the detection of women at risk.Design:We will analyze data from women with cerebral injury due to preeclampsia and controls from the South African biobank and database PROVE where blood- and cerebrospinal fluid based biomarkers, clinical data, brain magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral blood flow regulation and in vitro analyses of the blood brain barrier will be analyzed without or with magnesium sulphate and antihypertensive drugs to evaluate blood-brain barrier integrity and cerebral blood flow regulation.

In addition, using a rat model of preeclampsia we will model the same cerebral outcomes but also advanced ex vivo analyses after treatment with established- and new neuroprotective medications. Recruitment in PROVE is being finalized and analyses have started. The animal study is starting during 2020.

The project will run for four years.Relevance:Through a greater understanding of the pathophysiology and prediction of eclampsia and mechanisms of action of established and new medications for neuroprotection, we can target women at risk and optimize existing- and new neuroprotective medications.