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Brain lesions in preterm neonates can lead to neurodevelopmental impairments and cognitive deficits. The consequences of such impairments for individuals and for society justify our carrying out intensive studies on risk factors, triggering events, molecular and cellular mechanisms, treatments, and possible modes of prevention. Current knowledge on these aspects is largely dependent on animal studies, especially using rodents. In this paper we present the contribution of animal models to the study of brain lesions in the context of prematurity. Three of the most common models are described. Then the issue of how to measure behavioral disturbances in rodents with early brain lesions is discussed. Difficulties raised by current techniques are explored, and possible and necessary perspectives are proposed.