Active clinical trials for "Cerebral Palsy"

The investigators objective is to describe functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing findings in children with cerebral palsy.

A newly-developed device for biofeedback of surface EMG will be used to either increase or decrease activity in the muscles of children with poor reaching due to cerebral palsy.

In 2003, observational growth and bone density data was obtained on children with cerebral palsy (CP) living at Hattie Larlham as part of a study comparing growth with an existing database of children with CP who live at home. The original residents included in that study are now of adult age. Due to the lack of longitudinal bone density measurements in facility-based adults with severe CP, the investigators' objective is to obtain 6-year follow-up data from the residents enrolled in the original study.

A major goal of modern perinatal and neonatal medicine is to reduce the rate of developmental disabilities, especially mental retardation. Cerebral palsy is frequently associated with neurologic abnormalities and mental retardation. Improvements in neonatal intensive care have resulted in improved survival of very low birthweight infants but also in an increased frequency of cerebral palsy. Prematurity is a leading risk factor for cerebral palsy. Two thirds of preterm neonates are born to mothers with preterm labor with intact membranes or preterm premature rupture of membranes. A growing body of evidence suggests that these conditions are heterogeneous. This is an observational cohort study designed to identify the mechanisms of disease in patients with preterm labor/contractions and preterm premature rupture of membranes and to describe the relationship between clinical, biochemical, histological, biophysical parameters and the development of infant neurological disorders.

This study will examine how therapy changes the way the brain controls movements in children with cerebral palsy. Normally, one side of the brain controls movements in the opposite side of the body. In cerebral palsy, however, this pattern may be different, with one side of the brain controlling movements on the same side of the body. This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study brain function in children with cerebral palsy before and after therapy. Children between 9 and 17 years of age with spastic hemiplegia type cerebral palsy will be recruited for this study from the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Georgetown University Center Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the Sparks Center at UAB in Alabama. In addition, five healthy control children will be recruited from community groups, such as Cub Scouts, Brownies, and schools. Candidates are screened with a review of medical records and neurological and physical examinations. Healthy controls undergo MRI (described below) twice, 3 weeks apart. Children with cerebral palsy undergo the following tests and procedures: Rehabilitation evaluation at the NIH Clinical Center Rehabilitation Medicine Department. MRI: For this test, the child lies on a table that slides in and out of the MRI scanner-a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. He or she wears earplugs to muffle loud knocking sounds that occur during scanning. Images are obtained while the child performs simple finger tapping movements. Movement Testing: Finger tapping: The child taps buttons on a box hooked up to a computer Muscle reflex measurements: One method uses a small motor that makes the child's fingers move with sudden, small movements; a second method uses small shocks to the finger or wrist. The shocks feel like a buzz; most are gentle, but some might feel stronger. TMS: This procedure maps brain function. A wire coil is held on the scalp, and a brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. During the stimulation, the child may be asked to perform simple movements.. The stimulation may cause a twitch in muscles of the face, arm, or leg, and the child may hear a click and feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. Therapy: After these tests, children are randomly selected to receive either standard therapy (neurodevelopmental treatment) or constraint-induced therapy, as follows: Neurodevelopmental therapy uses principles of movement science to enhance the child's capacity to function. The child receives therapy a few times a week for 3 weeks. Constraint-induced therapy uses a combination of motor learning method and constraint to teach the new motor skills in the child's affected hand. Children treated with this therapy must live near a special treatment center in Alabama for the 3 weeks of treatment. The child's good arm is constrained with a bivalve, removable cast. The cast is placed before therapy starts and remains in place except when the therapist removes it once a day to examine the good arm. With the cast on, children are encouraged to use their affected hand in new ways. The therapist then uses the motor learning method, building motor programs as a result of practice, to teach them new skills. Motor learning therapy is 6 hours a day. Post-treatment testing: After treatment, children undergo repeat rehabilitation assessment, MRI, TMS, and movement testing.

To explore the association among anthropometric parameters and neuromotor behaviour in neonates for early identification and prediction of later neuromotor deficit.

High risk infant is defined as infant with a negative history of environmental and biological factors, which can lead to neuromotor development problems. It is a heterogeneous group of premature infants born under thirty-seven weeks of age, with infants with low birth weight, term or developmental retardation for various reasons. Therefore, preterm infants with low birth weight can survive with a neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, hearing and vision loss, mental retardation, speech and speech problems, and learning difficulties. The clinical diagnosis of CP and learning diffuculties which can be observed in high-risk infants, is based on the combination of some neurological and clinical signs.

High risk infant is defined as infant with a negative history of environmental and biological factors, which can lead to neuromotor development problems. It is a heterogeneous group of premature infants born under thirty-seven weeks of age, with infants with low birth weight, term or developmental retardation for various reasons. Therefore, preterm infants with low birth weight can survive with a neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, hearing and vision loss, mental retardation, speech and speech problems, and learning difficulties. The clinical diagnosis of CP, which can be observed in high-risk infants, is based on the combination of some neuroimaging and neurological examinations and assesments like neonatal imaging, general movements (GMs) and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE).

Aim: To investigate the relation between forced expiratory volume at first second and peak expiratory flow with gross motor function level in the children with cerebral palsy. Methods and Procedures: Thirty children with cerebral palsy from both sexes were included in this study. The children ages ranged from 3 to 11 years old.

This study evaluates (risk)factors influencing (in)continence in children with and without a brain injury.