Scientists have discovered genetic factors in the development of cerebral palsy – research

For the first time, scientists have found evidence of the existence of genetic variants that can affect the development of cerebral palsy (CP).

Previously, it was believed that the causes of cerebral palsy are damage to certain areas of the brain in the early stages of pregnancy, during childbirth or in the first years of a child’s life, writes News Medical with reference to the results of the study, published in the magazine Nature Genetics.

Canadian scientists from the Hospital for Sick Children, McGill University Health Center Research Institute and Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital conducted whole-genome sequencing of 327 children with cerebral palsy and their parents.

Whole-genome sequencing is a method of in-depth analysis of genomes, with the help of which it is possible to discover new genetic variations associated with diseases.

The scientists compared the obtained results with three independent clinical groups of patients and two pediatric control groups.

A seven-year study found that almost one in ten children (11.3%) had a genetic variant or a probable genetic variant of cerebral palsy.

17.7% of children had variants of uncertain significance, which may indicate an influence on the development of cerebral palsy.

Scientists also discovered that a number of children have genetic variations that overlapped with other diseases associated with neurodevelopment. These are, in particular, disorders of the autistic spectrum, which are common among children with cerebral palsy, scientists say.

They note that the results of the study suggest that the causes and development of cerebral palsy may be more diverse than previously thought.

“During the last 100 years, it was believed that cerebral palsy is the result of trauma to the fetus in utero or during birth.

We now have a better understanding of the complex relationship between the genetic and environmental factors of cerebral palsy.”– said Steven Scherer, a researcher at the Genetics and Genome Biology Program at the Hospital for Sick Children.

The researchers hope that the information obtained will help scientists identify new genes that influence the development of cerebral palsy.

Children’s cerebral palsy is a group of diseases that arise as a result brain development disorder or damage to one or more of its departments that control muscle tone and motor activity, i.e. movements. Cerebral palsy affects a person’s movement and posture.

We used to toldhow fairy tales help to live with cerebral palsy.