Cutting-Edge Cerebral Palsy Research

We like to believe that Americans are by nature very charitable—hardly a day goes by that we don’t see people giving money to the homeless, donating blood or participating in the ALS ice bucket challenge. Because our lawyers spend a great deal of time focused on the needs of children and adults with cerebral palsy, we are encouraged by the continuation of research, much of it funded charitably, which endeavors to minimize the effects of cerebral palsy.

One favorite site, ScienceDaily, has a section for the latest in cerebral palsy research. Here are a few of the recent projects that researchers are working on:

• Gait and Movement Research (Baylor University Medical Center): keeping careful track of how people with cerebral palsy move compared to people without cerebral palsy, researchers believe they have identified four categories of CP movement which can be used to more closely tailor therapies to improve gait.
• Speech (Strathclyde School of Psychological Sciences and Health): Current research on speech in people with cerebral palsy is limited, and we do not know much about when speech difficulties are caused by poor muscular control or difficulty storing speech information in the brain. New research will serve to correct for this lack of knowledge.
• Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy (Dr. Karin Nelson): Attempting to more clearly identify risk factors and causes of cerebral palsy, Dr. Nelson is examining lack of oxygen during labor and delivery, infection, birth defects, and poor fetal growth.

Of course, there are many good cerebral palsy charities out there. One of our favorites is United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). this organization prides itself on providing support throughout the lifetime of people with disabilities, not just for infants and children.

Contact Us

This is obviously an issue close to our hearts. If you want to find ways to help cerebral palsy research or charities, please feel free to contact us at (440) 252-4399.