Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability seen during childhood. Early treatment is central to minimising long-term disability and maximising the child’s functional potential.
CP is caused by a non-progressive lesion of the developing foetal or infant brain, and children face lifelong sensorimotor deficits that require continuous support. At these early stages of development, the brain is still highly plastic and permits deviations from the pre-programmed pathway of brain organisation. This re-wiring constrains the maximal functional potential that can theoretically be reached, necessitating a deep understanding of the alterations in the pattern and extent of neuronal connections in the sensorimotor system.
Further details: Biomarkers for cerebral palsy