In the largest study of its kind, scientists in Australia are attempting to identify genetic causes of cerebral palsy. A spokesperson states that this “…. study will investigate a key issue behind cerebral palsy: whether genetic factors make women more vulnerable to environmental risks that affect the brain of their unborn child.”
Do environmental factors, such as premature birth that affects the child’s brain, combine with genetic factors to increase the chances of developing cerebral palsy. 10,000 mothers will participate in the study.
The goal is to develop gene therapy treatments for babies predisposed genetically to develop cerebral palsy.
