Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might  interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain.  Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement. It may occur in association with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, brain or head trauma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegias, and metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, phenylketonuria, and Krabbe disease. Symptoms may include hypertonicity (increased muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions), exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, muscle spasms, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints (contractures). The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms. Spasticity can interfere with rehabilitation in patients with certain disorders, and often interferes with daily activities. Treatment may include such medications as baclofen, diazepam, tizanidine or clonazepam. Physical therapy regimens may include muscle stretching and range of motion exercises to help prevent shrinkage or shortening of muscles and to reduce the severity of symptoms. Targeted injection of botulinum toxin into muscles with the most tome can help to selectively weaken these muscles to improve range of motion and function.  Surgery may be recommended for tendon release or to sever the nerve-muscle pathway. The prognosis for those with spasticity depends on the severity of the spasticity and the associated disorder(s). The NINDS supports research on brain and spinal cord disorders that can cause spasticity. The goals of this research are to increase scientific understanding about these disorders and to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure them. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=spasticity+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=2+Years 1 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/spasticity/pubs_spasticity.htm /disorders/spasticity/xml_spasticity.xml xml_spasticity.xml V41 March of Dimes

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains NY 10605 askus@marchofdimes.com http://www.marchofdimes.com 914-997-4488 888-MODIMES (663-4637) 914-428-8203 Works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. V168 National Multiple Sclerosis Society

733 Third Avenue

3rd Floor New York NY 10017-3288 ContactUsNMSS@nmss.org http://www.nationalmssociety.org 212-986-3240 800-344-4867 (FIGHTMS) 212-986-7981 Funds research, helps families stay together, provides accurate and up-to-date information, helps with employment issues, offers free counseling, runs self-help groups, advocates for people with disabilities, and provides referrals to medical professionals. V91 National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

55 Kenosia Avenue

Danbury CT 06810 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) 203-798-2291 Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service. V57 United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

1660 L Street, NW

Suite 700 Washington DC 20036 info@ucp.org http://www.ucp.org 202-776-0406 800-USA-5UCP (872-5827) 202-776-0414 Educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. V85 WE MOVE (Worldwide Education & Awareness for Movement Disorders)

5731 Mosholu Avenue

Bronx NY 10024 wemove@wemove.org http://www.wemove.org 347-843-6132 718-601-5112 WE MOVE provides movement disorder information and educational materials to physicians, patients, the media, and the public. V105 Easter Seals

233 South Wacker Drive

Suite 2400 Chicago IL 60606 info@easterseals.com http://www.easterseals.com 312-726-6200 800-221-6827 312-726-1494 Provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs as well as support to their families. Supports the National AgrAbility Project, a program for farmers, ranchers, and farm workers with disabilities.