Evaluation of Brain MRI Changes in Cerebral Palsy Patients (NCT07433647)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by sensorimotor impairment that arises during early childhood defined as a static insult to the developing brain. A key part of the definition for CP is a non-progressive brain injury; however, as individuals with CP age, a functional decline greater than neurotypical individuals is often present. The investigators are doing this research study to improve understanding of whether there is brain and spinal cord atrophy over time that could indicate neurodegeneration. To do this, the investigators will partner with the Cerebral Palsy Research Network to obtain brain and spinal cord MRIs from people with CP across the United States. The investigators will perform analyses on multiple longitudinal MR images of the brain and spinal cord obtained from adults with CP. Putative changes will be related with changes in function across time. This will be a single-center study that will compare retrospective clinical and imaging data with similar prospective data. The objective is to find out if people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) experience changes in the structures of their brain over time. A key part of the CP definition is that it is a non-progressive brain injury. However, as people with CP age, their function often deteriorates. This study seeks to determine whether changes in the brain structure may result in function changes, as they do in other types of brain injuries. The investigators are doing this research study to improve understanding of whether there is brain and spinal cord atrophy over time that could indicate neurodegeneration. To do this, the investigators will partner with the Cerebral Palsy Research Network to obtain brain and spinal cord MRIs from people with CP across the United States, as well as locally. The investigators will perform analyses on multiple longitudinal MR images of the brain and spinal cord obtained from adults with CP. Putative changes will be related with changes in function across time.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (7 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (6 items).
Location: Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Columbia University — New York, New York
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- History of more than one seizure in lifetime
- History of known degenerative genetic disorder
- History of brain tumor, abscess, or multiple sclerosis
- History of moderate or severe head trauma
- History of metal implants in head
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Columbia University — New York, New York
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.