Ras-GTPases in neonatal brain damage

Due to an increased susceptibility of the developing brain to noxious stimuli, preterm born infants are at higher risk for the development of neurological sequelae and cognitive impairment in later life. Within the last decade it has become evident that increased oxygen concentrations (hyperoxia) contribute to neuronal and oligodendrocyte degeneration. In previous studies we demonstrated a reduction of neural cell death by the use of transgenic mice with neuronal overexpression of the small GTPase Ras. In the current project which was presented during the symposium we will elucidate functional consequences of hy…