Actively Recruiting
Cerebral Palsy and the Study of Brain Activity During Motor Tasks
Led by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Updated on 2026-04-29
320
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: \- Two ways to study the brain while people are moving are near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG). NIRS uses light to look at blood flow in the brain when it is active. EEG records electrical activity in the brain. Both have been used safely for many years, even in very young children. NIRS or EEG can be used while a person is moving to show which parts of the brain are the most active. Researchers want to use NIRS and EEG to study brain activity during movement in people with cerebral palsy and healthy volunteers. Learning more about how people with and without cerebral palsy use their brain to control their muscles may lead to new ways of training people with cerebral palsy to move better. Objectives: \- To study how the brain controls body movement in people with and without cerebral palsy. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 5 years of age who have cerebral palsy. * Healthy volunteers at least 5 years of age. Design: * This study has three parts. People with cerebral palsy will be selected for all three. Healthy volunteers will be asked to do only two of them. Everyone who participates will have NIRS and/or EEG exams during movement. People with cerebral palsy may also have biofeedback sessions to train coordination of movement and brain activity. * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Urine samples may be collected. * All participants will have at least one session of NIRS and/or EEG imaging studies. Sessions may also include the following tests: * Magnetic resonance imaging to look at the brain * Electromyography to measure electrical activity of the muscles * Motion analysis of specific body parts * Ultrasound to measure activity of the muscles * Motorized, robotic, and electrical stimulation of the muscles * Other clinical tests of muscle movement as needed. * Participants with cerebral palsy will have biofeedback sessions. These sessions will help them learn to coordinate muscle movement and brain activity.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Cerebral Palsy and the Study of Brain Activity During Motor Tasks
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 5 years and older
- Surgery free for six months in either the upper or lower extremities
- Free from botulinum toxin injections within four months in either the upper or lower extremities
- Either a healthy volunteer or diagnosed with childhood-onset brain or peripheral injury causing motor or sensory impairment
- Able to understand and follow simple directions for repetitive tasks
- Able to walk at least 20 feet without stopping with or without a walking aid
- Able to provide informed consent or assent as appropriate
- Agree not to drink caffeine or alcohol for 24 hours before each assessment session (does not apply to training sessions)
You will not qualify if you...
- Any neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiorespiratory condition other than childhood-onset brain or peripheral injury affecting concentration or repetitive movement ability
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Concurrent use of medications for muscle tone unless approved to temporarily discontinue for testing
- Pregnancy or potential childbearing without appropriate testing
- Adults unable to consent for themselves
- Inability or refusal to complete structural MRI when applicable (not exclusionary)
- Inability to lie flat or tolerate MRI environment
- Presence of cardiac pacemakers, implanted devices, intracranial metal implants, or other unsafe metal near the head
- History of allergic reaction to water-based electrode gel for EEG
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
F
Functional & Applied Biomechanics Sectio
CONTACT
T
Thomas C Bulea, Ph.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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