LAUSR

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in children. Much of the previous research on CP has focused on reducing the severity of brain injuries, while very few researchers investigate the cause and amelioration of motor symptoms. This research focus has had an impact on the choice of animal models. Many of the commonly used animal models do not display a prominent CP-like motor phenotype. In general, rodent models show anatomically severe injuries in the central nervous system (CNS) in response to insults associated with CP including hypoxia, ischemia and neuroinflammation. Unfortunately, most rodent models do not display a prominent motor phenotype that includes the hallmarks of spasticity (muscle stiffness and hyperreflexia) and weakness. In order to study motor dysfunction related to developmental injuries, a larger animal model is needed such as rabbit, pig or non-human primate. In this work we describe and compare various animal models of CP and their potential for translation to the human condition.