Searching for a cerebral palsy cure requires cohesive cooperation between government, medical, research and familial communities to ensure maximally effective flows of data and resources between afflicted individuals and their support systems.
The neurological disorder of cerebral palsy is most often congenital in origin, making the condition harder to prevent and predict, but recent research continues moving toward increasingly effective treatments and supportive aids, improving disorder management, and minimizing financial and emotional strain on patients and caregivers.
Roles of Government, Medical, Research and Familial Communities in the Search for a Cerebral Palsy Cure
Government agencies provide critical financial and institutional support for medical, research and familial groups, improving access to medication, technology, facilities and financial assistance. Furthermore, the efforts of government professionals result in the extensive compilation of data, studies and related information regarding the causal factors of the disorder, easing tension between different theories and fostering congruent movement towards effective disease management, treatment, and prevention. In large part, government driven activities propel medical and research communities towards finding cures and enhanced support technologies as they simultaneously improve the quality of life for cerebral palsy patients and their caregivers through indirect and direct methods.
The medical sector largely attends to the management of cerebral palsy symptoms and the development of effective coping techniques; however, this community plays an active role in identifying trends in treatme
nt, prevention and prevalence from a field perspective. Medical practitioners, particularly nurses and physicians, work directly with expectant families and mothers, giving them exceptional ability to address cerebral palsy causes and risk factors thereby increasing the likelihood of prevention and detection of the congenital disorder’s complications and causal elements.
Working in tandem with the medical community, the research sector focuses acutely on identifying the exact cause of the cerebral palsy disorder. Currently, studies are vetting theories regarding the lack of oxygen, genetic predispositions, and the mother’s habits during pregnancy. Families play crucial roles in cerebral palsy advocacy, prevention, and social awareness. Through family involvement in the cure development process, researchers, medical professionals, and government agencies gain insights into the most pressing concerns for those directly affected by the neurological disorder.
Effects of Developing Stem Cell Research in Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Because cerebral palsy chiefly results from brain injury, research heavily emphasizes studies concerning the restoration of cognitive abilities through brain damage reversal. Currently, stem cell research seeks to ascertain the validity of reversing brain cell damage or replacing compromised cells entirely. Prototypic stem cell treatment utilizes adult stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood and tissue to regenerate damaged brain cells and improve motor function and coordination. Early studies indicate the technique provides some relief from symptoms related to motor impairment, but researchers and medical professionals remain unsure of the exact nature of treatment’s success or capabilities.
Current Cerebral Palsy Prevention Techniques and Known Risk Factors
In the absence of a cure, parents and families rely on prevention techniques to minimize the reoccurrence of the disorder in future siblings. Congenital cerebral palsy retains the highest level of difficulty in regards to prevention as brain damage often occurs for unknown reasons; although, expectant mothers rely on regular medical attention and prenatal care to decrease the child’s risk of congenital issues.
Acquired cerebral palsy commonly results from accidental, natural or purposeful injury. In infancy, children should receive prompt medical attention for infections and cranial injuries to safeguard against progressive brain damage from unforeseen causes. Individuals with known genetic predispositions for the condition or concerns regarding their family history may submit to genetic testing to ascertain the likelihood of passing the disorder to offspring. When the disorder is likely to develop in children, families may consider fostering or adopting children or utilizing targeted medical attention during pregnancy.
Finally, substantial and newly released pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of the symptoms of cerebral palsy, especially as they related to anti convulsion and anti-spasm medication, has greatly improved the overall quality of life patients as well despite the contemporary lack of a cure or even full understanding of cerebral palsy as a disorder by the medical community at large.
References:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01978821
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12831360
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057381/
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/04/19/cerebral-palsy-drug-may-offer-hope-for-treatment.html
http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/cerebral-palsy-medications
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