Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Looking for brain changes over time in adults with cerebral palsy

Studies brain and spinal cord MRI changes over time in adults with cerebral palsy.

Key facts

Who runs it: Columbia University
Where: New York, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT07433647
Registry title: Evaluation of Brain MRI Changes in Cerebral Palsy Patients
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 30 people, planned
Started: 20 Jun 2023
Expected to end: 1 Jul 2029
Type of study: Observational, 2 groups
Record updated: 13 May 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with cerebral palsy who are in the CPRN registry and have had brain MRI scans. It studies whether the brain and spinal cord change over time.

Age: 18 to 80 years, with at least one MRI scan after age 18.
Sex: All sexes can join.
Disease stage: A diagnosis of cerebral palsy. No other known brain or nerve disease or injury that causes brain damage over time.
Earlier treatment: At least one past brain MRI scan as part of standard care. People with two or more brain MRI scans join the retrospective (past records) group only. Some criteria ask for multiple MRI scans of brain and/or spinal cord at least 24 months apart.

Main reasons for not taking part

More than one seizure in your lifetime
Known genetic disorder that damages the body over time
Brain tumor, brain abscess, or multiple sclerosis
Moderate or severe head injury
Metal implants in the head

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 12 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Have multiple MRI scans of brain and/or spinal cord spaced at least 24 months apart
Between 18-80 years of age with at least one MRI scan after the age of 18
No known central or peripheral neurological disease or injury other than cerebral palsy causing brain degeneration
Inclusion in CPRN registry
diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
>18 years of age
Have received at least one past brain MRI scan as part of standard care (patients who have two or more brain MRI scans can be included in the retrospective arm only)

Who cannot take part

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

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?

Where in United States

Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Columbia UniversityNew York, United StatesContact: Jason Carmel, MD, PhDTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

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.

Read full original descriptionShow less

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.

The 2 groups in the trial

Retrospective
Patients who have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, are adults (\>18 years of age), and have at least one brain MRI will be identified through chart review. Those patients who have two or more brain MRI scans will be included in the retrospective arm only.
Prospective
Patients who have only one brain MRI scan will be included in the prospective arm of the study. These patients will undergo MRIs of both the brain and cervical spine without contrast.