Lecture Notes: Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Importance of the Brain

• The brain is likened to the mainframe of a computer, controlling everything in the body.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

• Definition: Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to brain damage causing paralysis and loss of muscle control.
• Neurodevelopmental Condition: Occurs during initial brain development.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

• Prenatal Causes:
  • Radiation or infection during fetal development.
  • Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) due to issues like placental problems.
• Postnatal Causes:
  • Head trauma, infection, or oxygen deprivation.
• Genetic Mutation: A small proportion of cases.

Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy

• Nonprogressive Condition: Brain damage is permanent but does not worsen over time.
• Classification by Muscle Movement:
  • Spastic Cerebral Palsy (70% of cases):
    • Characterized by tight or stiff muscles causing jerky movements.
    • Hypertonia due to impaired GABA neurotransmission, leading to constant muscle contraction.
    • Results in issues like scissor gait or toe walking.
  • Athetoid or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy:
    • Damage to the basal ganglia affecting movement initiation and prevention.
    • Characterized by dystonia (slow, uncontrolled movements) and chorea (dance-like movements).
  • Ataxic Cerebral Palsy:
    • Damage to the cerebellum causing shaky, uncoordinated movements.
    • Results in clumsiness and poor balance.

Associated Symptoms

• Muscle pain, sleep disorders, difficulty eating, communication difficulties, vision problems, and learning disabilities.

Diagnosis

• Primarily clinical diagnosis.
• Additional Tests:
  • Lab work to rule out other conditions.
  • Imaging tests (MRI/CT) to support diagnosis or rule out other lesions.

Treatment

• Multidisciplinary Approach:
  • Collaboration among neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, occupational and speech therapists.
  • Physical Therapy: Strength building, improved walking, stretching.
  • Medication: Muscle relaxants and botulinum injections.
  • Surgery: To address tight muscles, bone alignment, and nerve issues.

Recap

• Cerebral Palsy involves damage to the brain or cerebellum affecting motor functions.
• Non-progressive and requires a tailored, multidisciplinary treatment approach.