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Research on Cerebral Palsy
Active national programs of research are being
vigorously pursued to prevent cerebral palsy
and to improve the quality of life for persons
who already have the condition. The two organizations
with major research programs are the United
Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation
in the private sector and the National
Institutes of Health in the government
sector.
Some of the research questions being addressed
are:
- what factors predispose the developing fetal
brain to injury and can these factors be minimized
or eliminated?
- what are the causes of lack of oxygen and
of growth factors to the developing fetal
brain and can the fetal/newborn brain be protected?
- why are low birth weight and prematurity
important risk factors?
- can cerebral palsy be diagnosed before
birth and better diagnosed shortly after?
- which treatments are most effective for
specific disabilities associated with cerebral
palsy?
- what improvement can be made in the quality
of life of people with cerebral palsy, based
on new knowledge in medicine, surgery, and
the behavioral and bioengineering sciences?
- what are the effects of aging on a person
with cerebral palsy?
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The
UCP Research and Educational Foundation
The UCP Research and Educational Foundation,
located in Washington, D.C., is the nation's
principal non-government agency sponsoring research
directly relevant to the prevention of cerebral
palsy and improvement in the quality of life
of persons with the disability.
In its 48-year history, the Foundation has
been instrumental in eliminating two of the
major causes of cerebral palsy -- German measles
and maternal-child blood type incompatibility.
The Foundation is now focusing its attention
on the remaining major causes, such as low birth
weight, prematurity, and the effects of oxygen
deprivation on the developing brain. It is also
exploring improved methods for mobility, communication
and the general well-being of children and adults
with developmental disorders of the brain.
The Foundation's programs support the exploration
of innovative ideas through pilot projects and
serve as a source of funds to explore new opportunities.
The Foundation gives priority to funding research
projects exploring innovative methods designed
to: (1) prevent the occurrence of cerebral palsy;
and (2) improve the functioning of people with
cerebral palsy through medical, surgical and
bioengineering interventions.
The maximum amount of a grant is $50,000 annually.
Grants are awarded for up to two years and may
be extended an additional two years. For further
information, contact:
United Cerebral Palsy Research
& Educational Foundation
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036-5602
1-800-872-5827
http://www.ucp.org
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Other
Sources of Disabilities Information and Statistics
National UCP
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036-5602
1-800-872-5827
(202) 776-0406
http://www.ucp.org
Disabilities Statistics
Rehabilitation Research & Training Center
Institute of Health & Aging
University of California at San Francisco
School of Nursing
333 California Street, Room 260
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel/TTY: (415) 502-5200
Fax: (415) 476-3915
http://www.ucsf.edu
American Academy for Cerebral
Palsy and Developmental Medicine
6300 North River Road, Suite 727
Rosemont, IL 60018-4226
Tel: (847) 698-1635
Fax: (847) 823-0536
http://www.aacpdm.org
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