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WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, posture, and motor function. CP occurs due to damage to or abnormal development of the brain before, during, or shortly after birth. CP is classified into different types, including spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed, depending on the areas of the brain affected and the clinical manifestations.

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WHEN DOES CEREBRAL PALSY START?

Cerebral palsy most often develops in the prenatal (before birth) or perinatal (during childbirth) period, but can also develop in early childhood. Brain damage can occur during fetal development, during childbirth, or in the first 2–3 years of life due to infections, injuries, or other neurological damage.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

  • Symptoms depend on the severity and form of cerebral palsy, but most often include:

  • Motor disorders (spasticity, ataxia, involuntary movements)

  • Muscle weakness and abnormal muscle tone

  • Poor coordination and balance problems

  • Delayed motor development (late sitting, walking, speaking)

  • Difficulty swallowing and speaking (dysarthria)

  • Intellectual disabilities (in some cases)

  • Seizures (in about 35% of patients)

  • Sensory impairments (vision or hearing problems)

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WHAT SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE BRAIN ARE AFFECTED IN CEREBRAL PALSY?

  • The most commonly affected areas are:

  • Periventricular white matter (associated with spastic diplegia)

  • Motor cortex (responsible for voluntary movements)

  • Basal ganglia (involved in the regulation of involuntary movements in dyskinetic cerebral palsy)

  • Cerebellum (associated with ataxic cerebral palsy, affects coordination and balance)

  • Thalamus and brainstem (responsible for sensory and autonomic functions)

WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL OPINIONS ABOUT THE CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY?

  • It is generally accepted that cerebral palsy is caused by:

  • Prenatal factors: hypoxia, intrauterine infections (TORCH), maternal diseases

  • Perinatal factors: birth asphyxia, premature birth, neonatal stroke

  • Postnatal factors: brain infections (meningitis, encephalitis), traumatic brain injury

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WHAT ARE THE MAIN GENETIC CHANGES FOUND IN CEREBRAL PALSY?

  • Although cerebral palsy is not traditionally considered a genetic disorder, research has revealed a possible genetic predisposition. Key changes include:

  • Mutations in genes associated with motor functions (KANK1, GAD1, CTNNB1, ATP1A3)

  • Single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) that affect brain development

  • Genes that regulate inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity

THE ROLE OF INFLAMMATION AND NEUROINFLAMMATORY IN CEREBRAL PALSY

  • Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the development of cerebral palsy:

  • Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy (increased IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α)

  • Activation of microglia and astrocytes causing neurotoxic effects

  • Inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) suppress myelination

  • Association with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and hypoxia

THE ROLE OF CHRONIC AND LATENT INFECTIONS IN CEREBRAL PALSY

  • Some infections can contribute to the development of cerebral palsy:

  • TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV, HSV, Zika virus)

  • Persistent viral infections (CMV, Epstein-Barr, HHV-6, mycoplasma)

  • Chronic bacterial infections that affect brain development

  • Postnatal infections (meningitis, encephalitis) increase the risk of cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy and Immune System Dysregulation

  • Disruption of cytokine production in the womb

  • Autoimmune reactions that attack the brain

  • Elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17)

  • Association with maternal autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)

Cerebral palsy and the microbiome

  • Research shows the influence of intestinal microflora on brain development in cerebral palsy:

  • Dysbiosis affects the immune response

  • Disruption of the gut-brain axis in patients with cerebral palsy

  • Potential role of probiotics in reducing neuroinflammation

Cerebral palsy and endocrine system disorders

  • Growth hormone deficiency in some patients

  • Adrenal dysfunction due to chronic stress

  • Thyroid Hormonal Imbalance

CEREBRAL PALSY AND METABOLIC DYSREGULATION

  • Mitochondrial dysfunctions and neuronal energy deficit

  • Oxidative stress damages the developing brain

  • Disorders of glucose metabolism affecting neuronal functions

OFFICIAL METHODS OF TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

  • Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

  • Speech therapy

  • Medicines: muscle relaxants (baclofen, diazepam), botulinum therapy

  • Surgical treatment (selective dorsal rhizotomy, orthopedic operations)

  • Orthopedic devices (braces, wheelchairs)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-INFECTIOUS COMPLEXES OF METHODS OF CEREBRAL PALSY TREATMENT (OUR EXPERIENCE)

  • Anti-inflammatory therapy

  • Antiviral and other antimicrobial drugs

  • Mitochondrial support

  • Microbiome therapy

  • Activation of neurogenesis

  • Restoring neuroplasticity

THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)

Proper nutrition plays a key role in improving the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy (CP). Due to motor impairments, swallowing problems, and metabolic imbalances, dietary strategies can help address nutrient deficiencies, maintain energy levels, protect the nervous system, and reduce inflammation.

PEOPLE WITH CEREBRAL PALSY OFTEN ENCOUNTER:

  • Difficulty eating – poor chewing, problems with swallowing (dysphagia), risk of aspiration.

  • Malnutrition and growth retardation - lack of calories and protein.

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) problems – gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, bloating.

  • Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress – chronic inflammation worsens the condition of the nervous system.

  • Mitochondrial disorders and energy deficiency – cerebral palsy is associated with changes in cellular metabolism.

RECOMMENDED NUTRITION FOR PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Противовоспалительное, нейропротекторное и поддерживающее микробиом питание способствует общему улучшению состояния при ДЦП.

A. Противовоспалительная диета

Так как хроническое воспаление играет важную роль в прогрессировании ДЦП, снижение уровня воспаления с помощью диеты может помочь.
Полезные продукты:

  • Омега-3 жирные кислоты – рыба (лосось, сардины, сельдь), льняное семя, грецкие орехи → уменьшают нейровоспаление.

  • Продукты с антиоксидантами – ягоды, темная листовая зелень, куркума, зеленый чай.

  • Оливковое масло холодного отжима – поддерживает работу мозга и снижает окислительный стресс.

  • Орехи и семена – миндаль, грецкие орехи, семена чиа (источники полезных жиров и минералов).

Продукты, которых следует избегать:

  • Переработанные продукты, сахар, рафинированные углеводы, растительные масла → усиливают воспаление.

  • Молочные продукты (при непереносимости) и глютен (если есть чувствительность).

 

B. Питание для поддержки митохондрий и мозга

Нейропротекторные питательные вещества:

  • Коэнзим Q10 (CoQ10) – жирная рыба, шпинат, орехи → поддерживает митохондрии.

  • L-карнитин – красное мясо, птица, молочные продукты → помогает производству энергии.

  • Магний и цинк – орехи, семена, бобовые → улучшают мышечную функцию и передачу нервных сигналов.

  • Витамины группы B (B1, B6, B12, фолиевая кислота) – яйца, листовая зелень, цельнозерновые продукты → важны для работы нервной системы.

  • Холин и фосфолипиды – яйца, соя, печень → улучшают память и нейропластичность.

 

C. Поддержка кишечника и микробиома

Пробиотики и пребиотики:

  • Пробиотики – ферментированные продукты (кефир, йогурт, квашеная капуста, кимчи) → поддерживают связь кишечник-мозг.

  • Пребиотики – чеснок, лук, спаржа, бананы → питают полезные бактерии.

  • Клетчатка – цельнозерновые продукты, овощи, бобовые → предотвращает запоры.

  • Костный бульон и коллаген – поддерживают целостность кишечника и суставов.

 

D. Высококалорийное питание для поддержки мышц

У пациентов с ДЦП, у которых есть мышечная спастичность и высокий уровень энергозатрат, важно потреблять достаточно калорий и белка.
Калорийные продукты:

  • Авокадо, ореховая паста, кокосовое масло, жирные молочные продукты (при отсутствии непереносимости).

  • Белки: яйца, постное мясо, рыба, бобы, тофу, греческий йогурт.

Следует избегать избыточного потребления сахара, так как он вызывает резкие скачки и падения энергии

FEEDING TACTICS FOR DYSPHAGIA (SWALKING PROBLEMS)

If the patient has difficulty chewing or swallowing:

  • Puree foods, smoothies and nutritious soups.

  • Thickeners for liquids – prevent aspiration.

  • Tube feeding (if necessary) – in cases of severe eating disorders.

INDIVIDUAL APPROACH AND NUTRITION CONTROL

  • Each patient with cerebral palsy has unique needs, so it is important to work with a nutritionist or doctor to create a personalized diet.

  • Regular monitoring of body weight, nutrient levels and gastrointestinal health is necessary to prevent deficiencies.

FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE:

  • It is entirely possible to dramatically improve a child's health if a parent understands the role of inflammation and infection in cerebral palsy and takes steps to organize therapeutic methods based on this knowledge.

  • Narrowly targeted long-term etiotropic therapy of the main pathologies can lead to a much healthier child, including full recovery, if treatment measures are carried out at the early stages of the child's development.

  • A well-balanced, anti-inflammatory, brain- and gut-supporting diet can help manage CP symptoms, improve nervous system function, and enhance quality of life.

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