# Neuroprotective Actions of hCG in a Mouse Model of Term and Preterm Brain Injury

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $344,531

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Brain injury from neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in the term and preterm newborn often results in chronic
neurological and developmental disability and yet, only limited therapies are available for its prevention and
treatment. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a placentally derived hormone with biological properties that
make it suitable for its use in neuroprotection of the injured newborn brain. hCG structurally and functionally acts
as an immunomodulating neurotrophin protein, enhancing the survival, growth and differentiation of immature
neurons. Furthermore, hCG receptors are found in the fetal nervous system and hCG itself can cross the blood
brain barrier and enter the brain. We also find that peripheral intraperitoneal administration of this hormone
protects the newborn mouse brain against the effect of HI. Furthermore, direct exposure of hCG to immature
injured neurons increases their survival and growth and protects them against glutamate receptor-mediated
excitotoxicity. However, little is known about hCG’s maximal neuroprotective efficacy, safety and the cellular
mechanisms responsible its anti-degenerative effects. Furthermore, the function of brain hCG receptors in the
healthy and diseased developing brain remains unknown. To address this concern, we propose to use
biochemical, molecular, histological, behavioral and neurophysiological methods to explore the neuroprotective
function of hCG and hCG receptors in a mouse model of preterm and term brain injury. The central hypothesis
of this project is that central hCG receptor activation by hCG in the injured term and preterm mouse brain reduces
cerebral dysfunction and decreases neuronal degeneration via a PKA/ERK-mediated pathway. This research
can serve as a translatable platform for the development of hCG and/or its mechanisms in the prevention and
treatment of the devastating neurological effects brought on by neonatal cerebral injury.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975241
- **Project number:** 5R01NS112234-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Rafael Galindo
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $344,531
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975241

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975241, Neuroprotective Actions of hCG in a Mouse Model of Term and Preterm Brain Injury (5R01NS112234-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975241. Licensed CC0.

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