Towards an improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms of impaired muscle growth in children with cerebral palsy

In growing children with cerebral palsy (CP), physical disabilities are strongly related to impaired muscle growth. Yet, the understanding of the mechanisms of this altered muscle growth is limited, hampering proper treatment planning. This project will delineate the network of contributing factors to the pathogenesis of altered muscle growth in CP, taking data of age-matched typically developing children as control. Here-to, we will combine assessments of macro- and microscopic structural properties of the muscle and neuromuscular symptoms with analyses of mechanisms responsible for regulating muscle growth as well as analyses of the effect of physical activity on growth mechanisms. This approach will contribute to a better understanding of altered muscle growth in children with CP, which will help improving clinical decision making and treatment efficacy.

Keywords:Pathogenesis of altered muscle growth, Muscular ultrasound imaging, Physical Activity tracking and mechanotr, Muscle metabolism, Muscle Biopsy

Disciplines:Histology, Rehabilitation sciences, Neurological and neuromuscular diseases, Musculo-skeletal systems