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American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Date: 2017/09/13 - 2017/09/16, Location: Montreal (Canada)

Publication date: 2017-01-01
Publisher: Wiley Online Library

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN) - AACPDM 2017 Conference Proceedings

Author:

Jaspers, Ellen
Klingels, Katrijn ; SIMON MARTINEZ, Cristina ; Kirton, Adam

Abstract:

Purpose: To bridge the gap between neuroscience and clinical research in unilateral CP and discuss the added value of understanding the reorganisation of the brain in these children, based on mirror movements and neuroimaging, and how this knowledge can contribute to treatment optimisation. Target Audience: occupational therapists, physiotherapists, paediatric neurologists Course Summary: Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) are characterised by a large heterogeneity in upper limb function and treatment response. Due to the early nature of the brain lesion, these children present with a unique “re-wiring” of the sensorimotor system, i.e. the corticospinal tract (CST). Structural reorganisation of the CST has been proposed to play a crucial role in the clinical heterogeneity and might offer a valuable therapeutic target. However, the CST-wiring pattern is not immediately apparent from the child’s clinical presentation. During this course, we will provide a concise overview of the role of mirror movements in typically developing children and unilateral CP (Prof. Dr. K. Klingels). Next, we will discuss various ways to probe the motor system and identify the CST-wiring pattern in these children, based on transcranial magnetic stimulation, a quantitative mirror movement assessment, and different neuroimaging techniques including diffusion imaging and resting state fMRI (Dr. E. Jaspers, MSc C. Simon-Martinez). Finally, most recent work will be presented on the added value of non-invasive brain stimulation to improve upper limb function in children with unilateral CP (Prof. Dr. med. A. Kirton). Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the role of mirror movements in typically developing children and unilateral cerebral palsy 2. Describe different ways of probing the motor system, based on behavioral, neurophysiological and neuroimaging assessments 3. Understand how the different behavioral, neurophysiological and neuroimaging assessments can be implemented in clinical practice 4. Understand the added value of non-invasive brain stimulation in upper limb rehabilitation