Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of severe physical disability in children in Western countries. It was traditionally considered to be due to oxygen deprivation during birth. However, evidence now suggests that genetic factors are involved, as the family risk of a child being born with cerebral palsy are increased 5-fold after the birth of a first affected child. Data also indicate that the incidence of cerebral palsy is higher in offspring resulting from marriages between close relatives.
 

Dr Eamonn Sheridan and colleagues have identified 22 large families with multiple cases of cerebral palsy. In this study, Dr Sheridan will use complex gene mapping techniques to analyse the genetics of cerebral palsy across these families. The identification of distinct genetic causes of cerebral palsy would increase our understanding of this condition and might aid the future development of preventive or therapeutic treatments.

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