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Novel insights into cerebral palsy

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Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormalities of muscle tone, movement and motor skills, and is attributed to injury to the developing brain. CP affects about 1 in 500 neonates. CP shows clinical features which evolve with age, and these may over time lead to deterioration of motor function although the lesion to the developing brain is non-progressive. The underlying causes for CP remain unclear. Based on recent research we are able to give a physiological explanation on the appearance and development of the condition. The damage to the central nervous system causes a change in collagen structure, with a higher level of deposition of collagen around the muscles, increasing throughout life. Assuming this premise is correct, the question is, will it by any treatment be possible to delay or prevent this collagen accumulation in the CP muscles, thereby giving CP patients a better prognosis in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Nilsine Nielsens Vej 7, indgang 3, 2. sal, 2400, København, NV, Denmark

    Else Marie Bartels & Lise Korbo

  2. PAS (Physiology), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Adrian P. Harrison

Authors
  1. Else Marie Bartels
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  2. Lise Korbo
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  3. Adrian P. Harrison
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Correspondence to Else Marie Bartels.

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Bartels, E.M., Korbo, L. & Harrison, A.P. Novel insights into cerebral palsy. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 41, 265–267 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10974-020-09577-4

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