A Canadian study identified a genetic link that may cause hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) in utero while the fetus is developing. The study was a collaborative effort between many research scientists and clinicians in Ontario, Canada, and it was funded by the CP-NET (Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network) Integrated Discovery Program of the Ontario Brain Institute. Hemiplegic CP affects only one side of the body, and the condition is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 1,300 live births. People generally think cerebral palsyis caused by physical factors such as birth asphyxia, stroke, or infection of the developing fetal brain. Now, this new research suggests that genetics may also play a role in the cause of hemiplegic CP. The study, De novo and rare inherited copy-number variations in the hemiplegic form of cerebral palsy, wasrecently published in the journalGenetics in Medicine. Researchers analyzed DNA from nearly 100 children with hemiplegic CP and their biological parents, and compared itto DNA from normal population controls. The team identified specific genetic alterations called copy number variants (CNVs) in several genes important for brain development and function. Some of these CNVs occur randomly while other CNVs can be inherited although rarely from the … Continue reading →

Arabelle Laddusaw feels at her most independent when she'sriding her horse and competing in the rodeo. She's in control and it's the best thing she does all week. "It's exciting and I love doing it," she said. Arabelle is 7 and will be a second-grader at Big Sky Elementary when school resumes this month. As a 1-year-old she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has spent most of her young life learning to live with it. Arabelle Laddusaw flashes a smile as she rides her horse, Sister, out of the arena after competing in the pole bending competition during a kid's rodeo at Miller's Horse Palace in Laurel last month. Arabelle was born with cerebral palsy and loves riding horses. And horses and rodeo is how she does it. Horses have long been a big part of the Laddusaw family. "My mom has always ridden horses," said Christine Laddusaw, Arabelle's mother. Christine's parents have owned horses nearly all their lives, and Arabelle's older sister was a barrel racer all through high school. It wasn't long after Arabelle learned to talk that she started asking about riding horses. "She said she wanted to do it and so I told her, 'We'll … Continue reading →

Julian Cappelli, 16, who has cerebral palsy, enjoys some time with his mother Donna in their Toronto home. A new study from Holland Bloorview and SickKids has found there's a stronger genetic link in cases of hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the most common form of CP, than previously thought.(Bernard Weil / Toronto Star) | Order this photo By Ainslie CruickshankStaff Reporter Tues., Aug. 8, 2017 Researchers say genetic testing should be standard practice when diagnosing cerebral palsy after a new study found that genetic variations could be a factor in hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the most common form of the motor disability. Standardizing a genetic workup for children with cerebral palsy, though, would depend on government funding. There should be genetic testing that happens as soon as possible; thats the take home message in this study, said Stephen Scherer, director of the Centre for Applied Genomics at SickKids and one of the authors of the study, which was done by researchers at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. For families, genetic testing could help explain why their child developed cerebral palsy. For researchers, it offers new directions for research aimed at preventing and treating the condition, which … Continue reading →

In the world of drums and flats, there is no bigger bird show in STL thanUnited Cerebral Palsy Heartland's annual "Wing-Ding" fundraiser. This year, the seventh annual meet and treat, will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Greensfelder Arena in Queeny Park. Eleven STL restaurants will compete in three categories: traditional, specialty and dry-rubbed. There also will be a best-of-show award. Along with yours truly, our fair burg's top daily newspaper will send Go! Magazine editor Gabe Hartwig and food writerDan Neman. A flock of radio jocks have signed up for the good cause (and free food):Trish "Vogue" Gazall and Greg Hewitt of KEZK-FM 102.5; John Carney, Jon Grayson and Marc Lillibridge of KTRS-AM 550; Howard Balzer of KXFN-AM 1380; Staci Static of WFUN-FM 95.5; and Scott Rizzuto and Tony Patrico of KPNT-FM 105.7. But wait, there's more.Steve Harris of KMOV (Channel 4);St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe; andDee Ryan of Sauce magazine also will be on hand with other celebrity judges. Contestant are: Barristers; EdgeWild Bistro & Tap; Hot Shots Sports Bar & Grill; Smugalas Pizza Pub; St. Louis Wing Co.; Sugarfire Smokehouse; The Slider House; Three Kings Public House; Truemans Soulard Sports Bar; Walnut … Continue reading →