Cerebral Palsy, the most common cause of childhood disability, arises as a consequence of abnormal neurodevelopment or prenatal/perinatal injury to the parts of the brain involved in controlling movement. In the past, delayed diagnosis of cerebral palsy precluded timely delivery of therapeutic interventions early in life, the period in which treatment may be most effective for neurodevelopmental disorders. However, even with advances that have enabled earlier diagnosis of cerebral palsy, treatment options remain limited. To help address these challenges facing patients, clinicians, and researchers, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) held two prior workshops that informed the development of a Strategic Plan for Cerebral Palsy Research. Published in 2017, the 5-10 year plan serves as a guide for research into the areas of greatest need in cerebral palsy, including understanding etiology and pathophysiology, improving diagnosis, identifying potential therapeutic interventions, developing potential prevention strategies, and improving quality of life in affected children and across the lifespan. The 2022 Workshop on Cerebral Palsy provided a forum for researchers, clinicians, and people with or affected by cerebral palsy to share updates on research progress and new opportunities since the publication of the Strategic Plan.
Agenda
Time | Discussion Topic and Plan |
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11:00 AM | Welcome and Introduction – Dr. Diana Bianchi, Director, NICHD |
11:10 AM | Overview of Cerebral Palsy Research at NIH – Theresa Cruz, PhD, NICHD |
11:25 AM | Voice of the Participant – Caydance Anderson with Introduction by Rachel Byrne, PT Cerebral Palsy Foundation |
Strategic Plan Priority Area 1 – Basic and Translational Research Moderated by Jim Koenig, PhD NINDS |
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11:45 AM | Neonatal Brain Injury Impacts on Development – Bhooma Aravamuthan, MD DPhil, Washington University St. Louis |
12:05 PM | Genomic Insights into the Neurobiology of Cerebral Palsy – Michael Kruer, MD University of Arizona |
12:25 PM | Early Diagnosis of Perinatal Brain Injury/Delayed Brain Development and CP – Nehal Parikh, DO MS, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, OH |
12:45 PM | Break |
1:15 PM | Developing New Biomarkers and Pharmaceutical Treatments for CP – Katharina Quinlan, PhD, University of Rhode Island |
1:35 PM | Neurodevelopment in High-Risk Newborns and Rehabilitation of Long-Term Disabilities – Nathalie Maitre, MD PhD, Emory University, GA |
1:55 PM | Cortical Plasticity and Recovery from Neurologic Insult in Both Adult and Pediatric Populations – Bernadette Gillick, PhD University of Wisconsin |
2:15 PM | Discussion – Moderated by Jim Koenig, PhD, NINDS |
2:55 PM | Wrap Up Day 1 – Sahana Kukke, PhD, NINDS |
Time | Discussion Topic and Speaker |
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11:00 AM | Welcome and Introduction – Ralph Nitkin, PhD, NICHD |
Strategic Plan Priority Area 2 – Clinical Research Moderated by Ralph Nitkin, PhD, NICHD |
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11:10 AM | Physical Therapy Intervention for Young Children – Stacey Dusing, PhD, PT University of Southern California |
11:30 AM | Communication Development in Children with Cerebral Palsy – Katherine Hustad, PhD University of Wisconsin |
11:50 AM | Technologies for assessment and functional restoration- Diane Damiano, PhD, PT NIH Clinical Center |
12:10 PM | Understanding the Healthcare Needs for Adults with Cerebral Palsy – Mark Peterson, PhD, University of Michigan |
12:30 PM | Racial Disparities in Cerebral Palsy – Zachary Vesoulis, MD Washington University St. Louis |
12:50 PM | Discussion Moderated by Ralph Nitkin, PhD |
1:30 PM | Break |
Strategic Plan Priority Area 3 – Workforce and Resource Development Moderated by Adam Hartman, MD, NINDS |
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1:50 PM | Clinical Trials for CP and Training CP Researchers – Sharon Ramey, PhD Virginia Tech |
2:10 PM | Mobilizing for Cerebral Palsy: The science, team, and tech to move forward – Kat Steele, PhD University of Washington |
2:30 PM | Common Data Elements – Theresa Moulton, PhD Northwestern University |
2:50 PM | Use of Registries in CP Research – Paul Gross, Cerebral Palsy Research Network |
3:10 PM | Discussion Moderated by Adam Hartman, MD, NINDS |
3:45 PM | Wrap up – Dr. Walter Koroshetz, Director, NINDS |