Cerebral Palsy — It Can be in Your Genes

In recent findings published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers from the Australian Collaborative Cerebral Palsy Research Group, based at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, discovered at least 14 percent of cerebral palsy cases are likely caused by a genetic mutation. It has long been believed that cerebral palsy occurs when a child experiences a lack of oxygen during pregnancy or at birth; however, after researchers mapped the DNA from cerebral palsy families, they found the likely cause of the condition in 14 percent of cases. A genetic scientist from the University of Adelaide explained that because cerebral palsy is at least partly genetic in origin, there will be significant changes in the approach to diagnosis, management and treatment of the condition. To read more about this study, click here.