Health Law

Study: New Compounds May Reduce Cerebral Palsy Risk

Researchers at Northwestern University have made a possible breakthrough in cerebral palsy prevention—they say two new compounds they developed may be effective in preventing the condition, which affects one to two out of every 1,000 babies born each year in the United States.

The compounds inhibit the neurotransmitter nitric oxide, a brain enzyme that is suspected of playing a role in the development of cerebral palsy. Studies have shown that high levels of the enzyme cause damage to brain tissue, so the researchers think controlling levels of nitric oxide might be key.

The Findings
Animals in the study were treated with one of the two compounds, or they received no treatment at all. Those that received treatment with one of the compounds did significantly better than those that did not. In fact:
 

• 83% of fetuses born to an animal treated with the first compound showed no cerebral palsy symptoms
• 69% of fetuses born to an animal with the other compound displayed no symptoms of cerebral palsy
• There were no deaths in fetuses born to animals treated with one of the two compounds.

Comparatively, more than 50% of fetuses born to untreated animals died.

“The results are just stunning, absolutely amazing,” said Richard B. Silverman, lead author of the study.

The findings are published online in Annals of Neurology.
 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on February 25, 2009 (boomark / email).