News: cerebral palsy
Genetics, not lack of oxygen, causes cerebral palsy in quarter of cases
![Professor Alastair MacLennan with Mattthew Reinerstein who has cerebral palsy](/newsroom/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-05/alastair_resize.jpg?h=242cd5c8&itok=jvlRnllE)
The world’s largest study of cerebral palsy (CP) genetics has discovered genetic defects are most likely responsible for more than a quarter of cases in Chinese children, rather than a lack of oxygen at birth as previously thought.
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Major cerebral palsy gene revealed
![A boy with Cerebral Palsy sits in a wheelchair, smiling and playing with a toy with his carer.](/newsroom/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2022-11/web_0.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=9E8yDSVs)
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have identified the gene that is the most common genetic cause of cerebral palsy, increasing the chances of finding better treatments for the debilitating disease.
Genetics behind a quarter of cerebral palsy cases
![At least a quarter of children with cerebral palsy have a clinically important genetic finding and 50 per cent of these will have immediate implications for their care, a new study from the University of Adelaide has found.](/newsroom/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-09/blood-20745_1920.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=y9ax879s)
At least a quarter of children with cerebral palsy have a clinically important genetic finding and 50 per cent of these will have immediate implications for their care, a new study from the University of Adelaide has found.
[Read more about Genetics behind a quarter of cerebral palsy cases]
Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy
![Emeritus Professor Alastair MacLennan with Mathew Reinersten, from Adelaide, who is an ambassador for the group’s cerebral palsy research](/newsroom/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-10/alastair-maclennan-with-mathew-reinersten-small.jpg?h=961ed3b7&itok=nTIdKXwu)
An international research team including the University of Adelaide has found further evidence that rare gene mutations can cause cerebral palsy, findings which could lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments for this devastating movement disorder.
[Read more about Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy]