Cerebral Palsy Causes in Adults

Cerebral palsy in adults is used to describe a variety of chronic movement disorders affecting body and muscle coordination, caused by damage to one or more areas of the brain that occurred around the time of birth. Even though it is considered a non-progressive condition, secondary conditions usually found with cerebral palsy in adults, such as muscle tightness and other internal distress can get worse over time. Due to certain physical limitations and emotional changes that come with age, specialized research on cerebral palsy in adults is critical.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. However, treatment, including physical therapy and exercise, the use of antispasmodic medicines to relax muscles, and mechanical aids, can improve an affected person's capabilities, increasing motor function and independence. Many adults with cerebral palsy are able to live and care for themselves independently. Others may need assistance in caring for themselves, help with transportation, and special employment arrangements geared to their abilities. Although the brain injury that causes CP does not get worse over time, some of its effects can appear for the first time, change, or become more severe with age. Follow the links below to find comprehensive coverage about cerebral palsy in, treatment for cerebral palsy in adults, assistive technology for adults with cerebral palsy, physical therapy for adults with cerebral palsy, and much more.
Although cerebral palsy is often considered a congenital (present at birth) syndrome, it can also develop after birth. A brain injury resulting from a brain infection (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis) or from a fall or accident is termed acquired cerebral palsy. On the other hand, congenital cerebral palsy is a result of something going wrong during fetal development or during the birth process itself. It used to be believed that lack of oxygen during delivery was the main cause, but researchers now think this only account for about 10% of cases.
A fetus develops from a single cell, which divides repeatedly to eventually become billions of cells. During the process, groups of cells become specialized to form all the different body tissues. Likewise, various types of nerve cells form and migrate to take up their proper places throughout the brain. This process is highly complex and, not surprisingly, errors sometimes occur that disturb the normal architecture of the brain.
Errors could occur as a result of the following:
A fetal stroke that cuts off blood supply to the developing brain, causing brain damage. This can be caused by maternal infections or high blood pressure.
Maternal or fetal infections can damage the white matter in the brain, which causes nerve transmission problems between the brain and the body.
Mutations can occur in genes that control fetal brain development, caused by maternal infections, fever, trauma, or fetal exposure to toxins.
Prolonged lack of oxygen to the brain because of a complicated labour and delivery, severely low maternal blood pressure, uterus rupture, or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

We are only now beginning to understand some of the issues surrounding the development of the fetal brain. Hopefully, more research in this area will allow us to eventually explain the exact causes of cerebral palsy.