CEREBRAL PALSY
T he term ''cerebral palsy'' refers to a group of chronic disorders of movement control associated with a non-progressive brain defect or injury acquired during gestation or early in life. The brain defect or injury often results in associated disabilities including mental retardation, epilepsy, and disorders of vision and hearing. Secondary disabilities in orthopedic, nutritional, and other areas are common. Cerebral palsy affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States under the age of 18 and an additional 5,000 children are identified each year [Cummins, et al., 1993]. In all but the mildest forms, the disabilities associated with cerebral palsy can severely limit the potential for normal activities of life.
Despite important new developments in understanding the etiology, epidemiology, neurophysiology, and treatment of cerebral palsy, the birth prevalence of cerebral palsy in the developed world has not declined in the last 40 years. Because cerebral palsy is a life-long condition with diverse clinical manifestations and is neither curable nor completely preventable, research efforts have been appropriately broad and multidisciplinary. Significant progress has occurred in the last 10-15 years in a number of different areas including epidemiology, etiology, neurophysiology, diagnostic assessment using imaging and quantitative kinesiological methods, neurosurgical intervention, behavioral intervention, pharmacologic intervention, and intervention assessment. In this issue of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews we have invited reviews that critically evaluate recent progress in each of these areas and identify remaining problems or new questions for future research.