Symptoms and Types of CP

There are six diagnosed disorders under the general term Cerebral Palsy. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy is the second most frequently diagnosed type, affecting about 25 percent of all Cerebral Palsy patients. The term athetiod comes from a Greek word meaning ‘not able to hold in place'. It is also sometimes referred to as Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy which means ‘difficulty or abnormality in movement'.

As the name implies, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy primarily affects the hands, feet, arms, and legs. These limbs are involuntarily moved due to the muscles in these areas tightening and loosening, giving the appearance of the individual writhing in pain. It can also affect the muscles of the face, mouth and tongue, causing the patient to appear to grimace, drool, and can create difficulty with talking and eating. Athetoid patients are overall quite intelligent. However, the disorder makes it difficult for them to do ordinary tasks such as brushing their teeth, writing or eating. This separation between the intelligence of the individual and their ability to use that intelligence can at times increase the patient's frustrations. Unfortunately, one of the main causes of increased involuntary muscle movement is increased stress. While sleeping the involuntary movements are greatly reduced or disappear altogether. Because of the involuntary muscle movements and overall lack of strength most patients have trouble sitting, standing, and walking.

Treatments for this disorder include drug, physical, occupational and speech therapy. The most common drugs used are anticholinergics (procyclidine, benztropine, and trihexyphenidyl) to reduce the involuntary movements. Other treatments include assisting technologies like state of the art computers, special telephones, hearing aids, and motorized wheelchairs. The symptoms of this disorder do not improve or become worse with age, so these assisting devices play a big part in the everyday life of the patient.

As in other types of Cerebral Palsy, the primary cause of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy is damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth. The Basal Ganglia section of the midbrain is the portion of the brain damaged in this disorder. The Basal Ganglia controls posture, coordination, and the smooth movement of body muscles. Damage to the Basal Ganglia can come from several different sources such as fetal development complications, genetics, head injuries to the fetus or the newborn, and severe or untreated jaundice in the infant. Seizures, thyroid problems, or meningitis in the mother can also be a cause. Medical malpractice involving the fetus or newborn infant can also contribute to damage to the Basal Ganglia.

Zev Gershon, M.D. J.D. is the team leader at the firm. As a doctor/attorney, Dr. Gershon has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients with different types of CP.