ScienceDaily: Cerebral Palsy News

Magnesium may be as important to kids' bone health as calcium

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

Parents are advised to make sure their children drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods to build strong bones. Soon, they also may be urged to make sure their kids eat salmon, almonds and other foods high in magnesium -- another nutrient that may play an important role in bone health, according to a new study.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for children born extremely preterm

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:57:57 EDT

Scientists conducted a study to assess neurological and developmental outcome in extremely preterm (less than 27 gestational weeks) children at 2.5 years.

Ordinary skin cells morphed into functional brain cells

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:31:31 EDT

Researchers have discovered a technique that directly converts skin cells to the type of brain cells destroyed in patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other so-called myelin disorders.

Similar neuro outcomes in preterm infants with low-grade brain bleeding as infants with no bleeding

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:30:30 EDT

A new study suggests that preterm infants with a low-grade bleeding in the brain may have similar neurodevelopmental outcomes as infants with no bleeding.

Intense acupuncture can improve muscle recovery in patients with Bell palsy, study suggests

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:20:20 EST

Patients with Bell palsy who received acupuncture that achieves de qi, a type of intense stimulation, had improved facial muscle recovery, reduced disability and better quality of life, according to a randomized controlled trial.

Genetic predisposition to brain injury after preterm birth is sex-specific

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:22:22 EST

Variation in gene, involved in inflammation, associated with developmental problems after preterm birth in females, but not males.

Potential to prevent, reverse disabilities in children born prematurely, study suggests

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:29:29 EST

Researchers report for the first time that low blood and oxygen flow to the developing brain does not, as previously thought, cause an irreversible loss of brain cells, but rather disrupts the cells' ability to fully mature. This discovery opens up new avenues for potential therapies to promote regeneration and repair of the premature brain.

New genetic pathway behind neurodevelopmental disorders discovered

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:23:23 EST

Researchers have discovered a new genetic process that could one day provide a novel target for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability and autism.

Preterm birth may be prevented with a few proven treatments, experts say

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:06:06 EST

Experts have set a target of lowering preterm birth rates by an average of 5 percent across 39 high-resource countries, including the United States, by 2015 to prevent prematurity for 58,000 babies a year.

Is housework a health hazard? Sheet-fitting palsy described by physicians

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:19:19 EST

What do a tight, fitted bed sheet and a blood clot in the wrist have in common? Both are associated with a condition called sheet-fitting palsy. True to its name, the palsy is reported in those who spend a long period of time repeatedly trying to pull a fitted bed sheet over the corner of a mattress. But it has also been reported in basketball players and in those who do push-ups as exercise.

Steroid pills effective for treating facial paralysis in Bell's palsy, research suggests

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:15:15 EST

For people experiencing first-time symptoms of Bell's palsy, steroid pills very likely are the most effective known treatment for recovering full strength in the facial muscles, according to a new guideline. Bell's palsy is a nerve disorder that affects muscle movement in the face and usually leaves half of the face temporarily paralyzed.

Academic websites offer the most reliable pediatric orthopedic information online

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:28:28 EDT

A new study finds that websites provided by academic institutions offer the most reliable pediatric health information, and commercial-sponsored websites, the least.

Is delaying premature delivery safe?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:26:26 EDT

In a new editorial, a UK expert argues that although premature children tend to have lower cognitive ability than their peers and 14.9 million are born prematurely each year worldwide, is it really possible to stop spontaneous preterm labour?

Preterm labor powerhouse therapy offers promise for inflammatory diseases

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:11:11 EDT

Researchers recently discovered the mechanism by which magnesium reduces the production of cytokines. Cytokines are molecules responsible for regulating inflammation; they play a key role conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, asthma, and alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis.

Taking the fate of stem cells in hand: Immature nerve cells generated

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:56:56 EDT

Biologists have deliberately transformed stem cells from the spinal cord of mice into immature nerve cells. This was achieved by changing the cellular environment, known as the extracellular matrix, using the substance sodium chlorate. Via sugar side chains, the extracellular matrix determines which cell type a stem cell can generate.

Benefits of hypothermia for infants continue through early childhood, study suggests

Wed, 30 May 2012 19:01:01 EDT

A treatment to reduce the body temperatures of infants who experience oxygen deficiency at birth has benefits into early childhood, according to a follow-up study.

Nano-devices that cross blood-brain barrier open door to treatment of cerebral palsy, other neurologic disorders

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:40:40 EDT

Scientists have developed nano-devices that successfully cross the brain-blood barrier and deliver a drug that tames brain-damaging inflammation in rabbits with cerebral palsy.

Window of opportunity to prevent cerebral palsy discovered: Nanodrugs work in newborn rabbits

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:37:37 EDT

Researchers have demonstrated that a nanotechnology-based drug treatment in newborn rabbits with cerebral palsy enabled dramatic improvement of movement disorders and the inflammatory process of the brain that causes many cases of CP. The findings strongly suggest that there may be an opportunity immediately after birth for drug treatment that could minimize CP.

Magnesium lowers blood pressure, study suggests

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:03:03 EDT

Researchers have found that magnesium supplements may offer small but clinically significant reductions in blood pressure. The researchers also discovered that the size of the effect increased in line with increased dosage.

Genetic abnormalities may cause cerebral palsy, study suggests

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:14:14 EST

For years it was thought that a difficult birth and other perinatal factors were the leading causes of cerebral palsy (CP), a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. Now, researchers suggest that the majority of cerebral palsy causes may in fact be caused by genetic abnormalities.

Foot and ankle structure differs between sprinters and non-sprinters

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:21:21 EST

The skeletal structure of the foot and ankle differs significantly between human sprinters and non-sprinters, according to researchers. Their findings not only help explain why some people are faster runners than others, but also may be useful in helping people who have difficulty walking, such as older adults and children with cerebral palsy.

New tool enhances view of muscles

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:57:57 EST

New research is adding to the arsenal of increasingly sophisticated medical imaging tools with a new signal-processing method for viewing muscle activation details never seen before. A novel method using ultrasound imaging, 3-D motion-capture technology and proprietary data-processing software can scan and capture 3-D maps of the muscle structure in just 90 seconds. Previous methods took 15 minutes -- far too long to ask people to hold a muscle contraction.

Pregnant women advised to stay cool for baby's sake: Australian study

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:56:56 EST

Medical researchers have found a link between increases in temperature and the incidence of stillbirth and shorter pregnancies.

Cerebral palsy-like brain damage prevented in mice

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:04:04 EDT

Scientists have shown that a protein may help prevent the kind of brain damage that occurs in babies with cerebral palsy.

Enzyme controlling cell death paves way for treatment of brain damage in newborns

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:15:15 EDT

Brain damage due to birth asphyxia – where the brain is starved of oxygen around the time of delivery – is normally treated by cooling the infant, but this only helps one baby in nine. New research Sweden could now pave the way for new ways of treating brain damage in newborns.

Preterm infants exposed to stressors in neonatal intensive care unit display reduced brain size, study finds

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:37:37 EDT

New research shows that exposure to stressors in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with alterations in the brain structure and function of very preterm infants. According to the study, infants who experienced early exposure to stress displayed decreased brain size, functional connectivity, and abnormal motor behavior.

Premature birth may increase risk of epilepsy later in life

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:16:16 EDT

Being born prematurely may increase your risk of developing epilepsy as an adult, according to a new study.

New stem cell activity identified in human brain

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:24:24 EDT

Researchers have identified a new pathway of stem cell activity in the brain that represents potential targets of brain injuries affecting newborns. The recent study raises new questions of how the brain evolves.

Children with cerebral palsy: Change the environment, not the child, researchers say

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:38:38 EDT

A successful new rehabilitation approach to treating children with cerebral palsy puts its focus on where a child lives and plays, not just improving the child's balance, posture and movement skills. Called a "context-focused intervention," this approach is just as beneficial as traditional child-focused therapy, offering parents an additional treatment option for their child, researchers in Canada report in a new study.

Don't suffer in silence with toe pain

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:03:03 EDT

While deformities of the lesser toes (all toes other than the big toe) can be very painful, there are numerous surgical and nonsurgical treatments for these conditions that are usually quite effective. A new review shows that because lesser toe deformities are often treatable, and can be symptoms of other conditions, early assessment and treatment by an orthopedic surgeon is important.

'Vanishing twin' explains increased risk of birth defects

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:15:15 EDT

Australian researchers have made the significant discovery that loss of a twin during very early pregnancy explains the increased risk of birth defects seen in multiple pregnancies after infertility treatment.

Possible susceptibility genes found in neurodegenerative disorder

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:35:35 EDT

Scientists have discovered three potential susceptibility genes for development of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease but is resistant to Parkinson's medications.

Toileting aid for children with cerebral palsy

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:12:12 EDT

A student has designed a toileting aid for children with cerebral palsy.

Contraceptive pill and HRT may protect against cerebral aneurysm, study suggests

Wed, 04 May 2011 20:17:17 EDT

Women who develop cerebral aneurysms are less likely to have taken the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy, suggesting taking estrogen could have a protective effect, reveals new research.

Magnesium deficiency: Not always a nutritional problem

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:52:52 EDT

Scientists have identified a genetic cause for magnesium deficiency. The study ascertained changes in a gene which is involved in the regulation of magnesium processes involved in the kidney. This research opens the way for possible future medicinal treatment of genetically caused magnesium deficiencies.

Osteopathy 'of no benefit' to children with cerebral palsy, research finds

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:32:32 EDT

Researchers in the UK have found little evidence to suggest that cranial osteopathy is of benefit to children with cerebral palsy.

Some patients with cerebral palsy have asymmetric pelvic bones, study finds

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:03:03 EST

Researchers have discovered that most children with severe cerebral palsy have starkly asymmetric pelvic bones. The newly identified misalignment can affect how surgeries of the pelvis, spine and surrounding structures are performed, the researchers say.

The safety of daily magnesium oxide treatment for children with chronic constipation

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:13:13 EST

A research team from Japan determined serum magnesium concentration in children with functional constipation treated with daily magnesium oxide. The results showed that serum magnesium concentration increased significantly, but not critically, after daily treatment with magnesium oxide in constipated children with normal renal function.

Decline in cerebral palsy diagnoses in premature infants suggests improvements in perinatal care

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 06:52:52 EST

Cerebral palsy is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects motor function, more often in children born prematurely. Because cerebral palsy is a result of brain injury received shortly before, during, or soon after birth, the number of infants being diagnosed with the condition is a good indicator of the quality of perinatal and neonatal care. Rates of cerebral palsy have declined dramatically in the past 15 years.

Hip, thigh implants can raise bone fracture risk in children

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:05:05 EST

Children with hip and thigh implants designed to help heal a broken bone or correct other bone conditions are at risk for subsequent fractures of the very bones that the implants were intended to treat, according to new research.

Magnesium sulfate may offer protection from cerebral palsy, study suggests

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:02:02 EST

The use of magnesium sulfate (Mg) significantly reduced the neonatal brain injury associated with maternal inflammation or maternal infection in rats.

Blood-clotting agent can diagnose fatal genetic diseases, finds study

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:25:25 EST

Scientists have shown that a protein involved in blood clotting can be used to diagnose and subsequently monitor the treatment of a group of childhood genetic diseases.

A possible cause of Parkinson's disease discovered

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:23:23 EST

When a person has Parkinson's disease, the dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain die. Scientists have discovered that this group of nerve cells of patients with Parkinson's contains defective nucleoli. These tiny structures within the cellular nucleus are needed for the vital process of protein synthesis. The researchers have shown in mice that disruptions in the nucleoli cause Parkinson's-like symptoms and may therefore be the cause of this disease.

Complementary medicines can be dangerous for children, experts say

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:53:53 EST

Complementary medicines can be dangerous for children and can even prove fatal, if substituted for conventional medicine, indicates an audit of kids' CAM treatment.

Botulinum toxin A creates muscle weakness and atrophy following long term use, study suggests

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:42:42 EST

A new study found animals injected with Botulinum toxin A experienced muscle weakness and atrophy far from the site of injection. The research raises some important questions about the long-term therapeutic use of Botox.

New technology allows medical workers to better assess brain injuries

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:18:18 EST

A neuroscientist is launching a new medical tool. The KINARM Assessment Station will greatly improve the way healthcare workers assess patients suffering from brain injuries and disease.

Parental infertility and cerebral palsy in children born spontaneously or after IVF/ICSI

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:19:19 EDT

Doctors have known for some time that children born after some fertility treatments are at increased risk of cerebral palsy. However, it was not known whether this risk was due to the treatment itself, the higher frequency of preterm or multiple births, or a mechanism associated with couples' underlying infertility. Now, new research indicates that underlying infertility is not the main reason for the increased risk seen in IVF/ICSI children.

Low Apgar score at birth linked to cerebral palsy

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:05:05 EDT

A low Apgar score at birth is strongly associated with cerebral palsy in childhood, concludes a new study.

Botulinum toxin may offer temporary drooling relief in children with neurological disorders

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:26:26 EDT

Botulinum toxin treatment appears to offer a temporary, short-term solution to relieve drooling in children diagnosed with certain neurological disorders, according to a new study.

Babies born past term associated with increased risk of cerebral palsy

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:49:49 EDT

While preterm birth is a known risk factor for cerebral palsy, an examination of data for infants born at term or later finds that compared with delivery at 40 weeks, birth at 37 or 38 weeks or at 42 weeks or later was associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy, according to a new study.

Teaching robot helps children to use wheelchair

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:20:20 EDT

A robotic wheelchair is being developed that will help children learn to 'drive'. In a new article, researchers describe the testing of ROLY -- robot-assisted learning for young drivers -- in a group of children without disabilities and one child with cerebral palsy.

Mannitol boosts effectiveness of potential cord blood treatment for cerebral palsy in lab animals, study finds

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:41:41 EDT

The sugar-alcohol compound mannitol improved the therapeutic effectiveness of human umbilical cord blood cells injected into neontal rat models of cerebral palsy, reports a new international study. The mannitol opened the blood-brain barrier, improving access of therapeutic substances from the periphery to the brain.

Better prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia

Fri, 21 May 2010 09:26:26 EDT

The prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia has improved in recent years owing to new clinical procedures and better diagnostics, according to new research from Sweden. By measuring levels of lactic acid in the blood during childbirth and the brain activity of the newborn afterwards, doctors can make a much more reliable assessment of the risk of serious brain damage.

Low umbilical cord pH at birth linked to death and brain damage

Thu, 13 May 2010 21:24:24 EDT

Low umbilical cord blood pH at birth is strongly associated with serious outcomes such as infant death, brain damage and the development of cerebral palsy in childhood, concludes a new study.

British heroin substitute may be associated with wide-ranging sight problems

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:14:14 EDT

Children born to mothers prescribed the heroin substitute methadone during pregnancy may be at risk of wide-ranging sight problems, indicates a small study.

Preterm birth rate drops 3 percent

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:30:30 EDT

New U.S. nationwide statistics show a 3 percent decline in the preterm birth rate, according to a new report. The preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent. That's down from the 2007 preliminary rate of 12.7 percent. The declines follow a more than 20 percent increase in the preterm birth rate between 1990 and 2006.

Modified home video game shows promise for improving hand function in teens with cerebral palsy

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:46:46 EDT

Engineers have modified a popular home video game system to help teenagers with cerebral palsy improve their hand functions. In a pilot trial, the system improved the teens' abilities to perform a range of daily personal and household activities. The modified system with custom-developed software and games provided exercise routines aimed at improving hand speed and range of finger motion.

Treadmill training could help tots walk

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:21:21 EST

Using a treadmill could help infants with prenatal complications or who were injured at birth walk earlier and better, according to researchers.

Remember magnesium if you want to remember: Synthetic supplement improves memory and staves off age-related memory loss

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:20:20 EST

Researchers have found that a new synthetic magnesium compound works on both young and aging animals to enhance memory or prevent its impairment. Their study was carried out over a five-year period and has significant implications for the use of over-the-counter magnesium supplements.

First FDA-approved stem cell trial in pediatric cerebral palsy

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:18:18 EST

Researchers are conducting the first FDA-approved clinical trial to determine whether an infusion of stem cells from umbilical cord blood can improve the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy.