Cerebral Palsy

Why study cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in children. More than 34,000 people in Ontario have CP. 

It is caused by an injury to the developing brain that can occur in the womb, during the birth of the baby, or in the first couple of years after birth. The visible evidence of CP is the ‘motor disabilities’ – challenges in how a person develops and maintains control of their movement. Children with CP may also have other challenges, including seizures and problems with thinking, communicating, seeing, hearing and behaviour. The impacts on individuals and their families can be devastating. 

CP-NET: The Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network

  • The Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network (CP-NET) aims to transform the lives of individuals with or at risk for cerebral palsy. This collaboration is allowing us to better understand the mysteries around CP including: the causes of CP, how we might be able to prevent it, and how we can improve rehabilitation treatments for children with CP.

     CP-NET is exploring the following areas: risk factors including genetics, developmental and psychosocial outcomes, neuro-imaging findings (pictures of the brain), and technology innovation for individuals with CP. In addition, a group of CP-NET researchers are studying how different therapies, such as stem cell therapy, could make an impact in CP treatment.

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  • CP-NET: The Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network

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The Impact of Our Work

The company GaitTronics, started by former OBI entrepreneur, Dr. Aliasgar Morbi, is working with CP-NET researchers and clinicians to validate its robotic technology within one of CP-NET’s clinics. An early success of this initiative involves a child walking for the first time in two years with the support of this robotic equipment.