Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: What Science Wants to Share with you!

Athetoid cerebral palsy sometimes referred to as dyskinetic cerebral palsy or ADCP, is a kind of condition characterized by uncontrollable movement. Athetoid Cerebral palsy is not as frequent as spastic CP, but it is also not as uncommon as ataxic or mixed CP.

Causes of Athetoid CP

The basal ganglia of the brain are harmed in dyskinetic/athetoid cerebral palsy. The body receives impulses from the basal ganglia that assist coordinate and govern movement. Injury to the basal ganglia impairs voluntary movement, leading to aberrant and involuntary movements.

Symptoms of Athetoid CP

Dystonia, athetosis, and chorea are the three hallmark features of dyskinetic cerebral palsy. There are specific symptoms associated with each of these traits.

• Dystonia: In children with dystonia, there are uncontrollable muscle contractions that cause writhing, sluggish, and repetitive movements that get worse when the child moves. Many dystonia sufferers use sensory techniques to restrain uncontrollable movements. Some patients with dystonia find it easier to manage their movements, for instance, leaning against a wall or laying their hands behind their heads.
• Athetosis: Another feature of dyskinetic cerebral palsy is athetosis, which is characterized by slow twitching and writhing motions. The symptoms may appear when the child is at rest, and they typically get more severe when the child moves.
• Chorea: Chorea is a symptom of dyskinetic cerebral palsy and is characterized by short, jerky, and uncontrollable movements. This may have an impact on many body parts. Chorea can cause problems speaking, swallowing, eating, and drinking.

Treatment for Athetoid CP

Cerebral palsy currently has no known cure, however, most children with this condition grow up to lead healthy, fulfilling lives as they enter adulthood. Children with cerebral palsy who receive treatment grow more self-reliant and independent in their capabilities. Physical therapy and speech therapy are two types of treatment that help treat current symptoms while averting potential long-term problems.

• Physiotherapy: Physical therapy typically incorporates exercises for strength training and to increase the muscle tone of the child. Additionally, athetoid CP might make it difficult to maintain a straight, upright posture or to maintain a good posture. To strengthen these muscles and stop any more issues, physical therapists will use a variety of exercises.
• Speech Therapy: These issues can be resolved with speech therapy, which also improves respiratory control, language and vocabulary skills, and articulation. People with CP frequently gain greater control over their facial and tongue muscles after engaging with a speech therapist over a number of sessions.
• Occupational Therapy: The use of occupational therapy helps children become more capable of learning and playing on their own. A child with this kind of CP will benefit from the assistance of an occupational therapist by being able to write, handle items, and use mobility aids more easily.
• Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cell therapy is a novel, cutting-edge approach that is demonstrating promising outcomes in the repair of brain injury and the regeneration of dead cells. Since birth damage to the brain is the underlying cause of cerebral palsy, stem cell therapy may have special advantages and lessen the degree of physical issues in CP patients

Effective therapies could potentially minimize or reduce the long-term disability in CP patients during the acute, subacute, and healing periods of the damage. Preclinical and clinical research must be conducted with greater rigor in order to advance the discipline and enhance the accuracy of each CP patient's diagnosis and care.