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New technology offers breakthrough in cerebral palsy treatment
By Carmen Chai, Global News:
TORONTO – American scientists say a new nanotechnology-based technique that can target hard-to-reach parts of the brain could be used to treat cerebral palsy.
The treatment helped rabbits born with the condition regain mobility, marking a breakthrough in cerebral palsy research and providing patients with a hope that treatment may be available after birth.
Researchers at John Hopkins University Medicine say tree-like molecules called dendrimers can make their way past barriers in the brain and carry drugs to areas affected by cerebral palsy.
Baby rabbits treated with the dendrimers had increased motor function within five days after being treated at birth, according to lead researcher, Dr. Sujatha Kannan.
Rabbits’ brains develop before birth and after birth, like humans, which is why the animal was used in the study. Most animals are born with motor abilities nearly fully-formed.
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