Ongoing Research

Research Projects at the Center for Cerebral Palsy

Muscle Stiffness in Cerebral Palsy

Muscular Changes in Cerebral Palsy

CP is a disorder of movement that results from an injury to the developing brain.  While the brain injuries have been studied extensively previously, the resulting effects on the muscle are not well understood but include weakness and stiffness. No previous researcher has extensively evaluated the changes in that occurs as children with CP grow. To that point, we are currently studying small muscle biopsies from children with and without CP to better understand the changes that occur in CP muscle as a first step toward a better understanding of the disease, which will hopefully lead to future improvements in the care of patients with CP and other neuromuscular diseases.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]

Serum Markers in Pediatric CP

Cerebral palsy can cause muscle stiffness and weakness. There is some evidence that this stiffness and contractures result from increased inflammation – the body’s response to irritation and/or injury. The overall level of inflammation can be measured by markers of inflammation that circulate in the liquid portion of the blood – the “serum.” If your child is scheduled to undergo surgery and you choose to participate in this study, a small amount of your child’s blood will be drawn before and after surgery. The serum will be evaluated for inflammation so that we can better understand the nature of CP, which will hopefully lead to future improvements in the care. 

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]