UCP AffNet Entrance
Press Releases: 2005 Releases
UCP Research Director Joins International Experts to Propose New Definition and Classification of Cerebral Palsy (09/6/2005)
Washington, DC, September 6, 2005 - Dr. Murray Goldstein, Director of the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Research and Educational Foundation, has joined several of the world’s leading experts in pediatrics and neurology to propose a new definition and classification of cerebral palsy, a complex developmental disability that affects nearly 765,000 Americans.
The proposed definition states, “Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and/or behavior, and/or by a seizure disorder.”
The definition and classification, along with commentary by the authors, are available in the August volume of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, the world’s leading journal on pediatric medicine, and at www.ucp.org.
Earlier this year, the UCP Research and Educational Foundation and the Casting Foundation (Great Britain) convened a conference of international experts in Bethesda, Maryland, to review existing global definitions and classifications of cerebral palsy.
The panel identified significant differences in regional nomenclatures as a barrier to information sharing and research aimed at prevention and improving the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy. The participants advocated a revised definition and classification system in order to encompass the broad range of disorders associated with cerebral palsy and encourage multidisciplinary techniques to manage them.
“We walked into our discussions without an agenda regarding revision of the clinical definition of cerebral palsy,” said Dr. Goldstein. “The hope, rather, was that our effort would lead to increased collaboration throughout the world towards prevention and treatment, and I think we’ve taken positive steps by setting a framework for global standards describing cerebral palsy and associated conditions.”
Dr. Goldstein also emphasized the final product is a recommendation, and the panelists hope to collect comments from within the international medical community to reach final consensus.
For the complete published report on the newly recommended definition and classification of cerebral palsy, visit www.ucp.org.
About United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation
The United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation has supported research relevant to cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities for more than 45 years. The Foundation continues to work with basic and clinical medical scientists around the world to find new ways to prevent the chronic condition that affects more than 765,000 Americans, and to improve their quality of life. For more information on the Foundation and advancements in cerebral palsy research, visit www.ucp.org or call (800) 872-5827.
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