CEREBRAL PALSY NEWS
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Gene Found to Increase Cerebral Palsy Risk
February 21, 2007
A study conducted by researchers from Children’s Memorial Research Center has discovered a gene that can increase the chances of a brain-injured child developing cerebral palsy.
The researchers found that children with the E4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are more likely to develop cerebral palsy after a brain injury than those who don’t have it.
The same gene has also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
“If a baby is born with an E4 allele, then if they undergo some kind of perinatal brain injury, they are more likely to develop cerebral palsy,” said professor of pediatric neurology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Mark Wainwright. “The gene isn’t causing cerebral palsy. It’s making you at greater risk to develop it, but another injury is needed.”
Why?
The APOE gene is responsible for the production of apoE – a protein that regulates inflammation in the brain following a brain injury. Everyone has two of the three alleles of this gene. When the third one – E4 – is present, the APOE gene creates a protein that is less effective at reducing inflammation. This allows for more brain damage during injuries, and renders the body less capable of repairing it.
Ramifications
“A majority of times we don’t know what causes cerebral palsy,” said professor of pediatrics, Maxine Kuroda. “A woman could have an uneventful pregnancy and then the child is born and they start missing their developmental milestones.”
These study findings mean that doctors may be able to identify children who are at a higher risk of developing the disorder after a brain injury early in life. This will allow for the close monitoring of the child, and earlier treatment at the onset of cerebral palsy symptoms.
“Cerebral palsy is difficult to recognize in a young child and it’s often missed,” said Wainwright. “Doctors also must wait several years to diagnose children with cerebral palsy, to guarantee that it isn’t a progressive condition.”
If you or a loved one has developed cerebral palsy and you feel it may be a result of cerebral palsy, please contact us today for a complimentary case evaluation by an experienced cerebral palsy attorney who can answer your questions and help you decide which course of action to take.
