Massachusetts Personal Injury News

Cerebral Palsy Study to Examine Genetic Roots

Researchers in Australia are planning the world’s largest study of the possible genetic causes of cerebral palsy. The researchers are recruiting 10,000 individuals to participate in the study. Among these 10,000 people, 5,000 will be from families with a child affected with cerebral palsy and 5,000 from unaffected families. Genetic samples will be collected from mothers and their children.

Cerebral palsy affects 1 in 500 children across the world and is considered one of the most serious pregnancy and birth complications. Those who are affected with cerebral palsy do not have control of their movements and posture, which is the result of a brain injury in the neuro-motor region. The symptoms vary from poor muscle coordination to quadriplegia.

In a recent news release, Professor Alastair MacLennan, head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Universtiy of Adelaide, said, “Our study will investigate a key issue behind cerebral palsy: whether genetic factors make women more vulnerable to environmental risks that affect the brain of their unborn child. These risks — such as prematurity and infections — combined with genetic susceptibility mean that babies could be at double jeopardy of cerebral palsy.”

The goal of the study is to determine if genetic mutations can lead to cerebral palsy and if so, to start the development of gene therapy or drugs that can prevent it.