Foreword 2

Oral Presentations

Session 1: Neuromuscular/Encephalopathy 3

Session 2: Epilepsy 5

Session 3: Stroke/Neurovascular 9

Session 4: Videos 11

Session 5: Neurodisability/Miscellaneous 13

Session 6: Breaking News 16

Posters

Session 1: Neuromuscular/Encephalopathy 17

Session 2: Epilepsy 19

Session 3: Stroke/Neurovascular 24

Session 4: Neurodisability/Miscellaneous 26

Index 33

Foreword 2

Free Papers

Session A: Orthopaedics 3

Session B: Eclectic 6

Session C: Botulinum Toxin A 9

Session D: Orthopaedics 13

Session E: Early Development 16

Session F: Gait 19

Session G: Functional Scales 23

Session H: Imaging 25

Session I: Quality of Life 29

Scientific Posters 32

Audio-Visual Program 53

Index 55

Foreword 2

Recent trends in neurodisability: implications for research and prevention 4

Genetic contribution to neurodevelopmental disability: an overview 6

Normal and abnormal development of the central nervous system I 7

Normal and abnormal development of the central nervous system II 8

Neurodisability and the channelopathies 12

Neurodisability: metabolic and hormonal aspects 14

Studies of children in developing countries 18

Likely changes in obstetric practice – the next 10 years 25

The role of neuroimaging over the next 10 years 29

Cerebral palsy: can we prevent it? 30

Autism: known and unknown 31

Prevention of severe learning disability 35

Childhood epilepsy: secondary prevention is crucial 38

Specific learning disorders: primary and secondary prevention 42

Foreword 2

Members of the Organizing Committee 3

Keynote Speakers 4

Invited Speakers 21

Posters 48

Index 56

Foreword 2

Invited Speakers 3

Oral Presentations 18

Posters 31

Audio-Visual 65

Index 67

The aim of this study was to examine the comorbidity pattern, seizure characteristics, and aetiology in a representative group of children with a combination of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), active epilepsy, and learning disability. Ninety children (47 males, 43 females; mean age 11 years 2 months, range 8 to 16 years at the time of psychiatric examination) with active epilepsy and learning disability, identified in a population-based study in Göteborg, Sweden, were subdivided into those with and those without ASD and compared with respect to aetiology, additional neuroimpairments, and seizure characteristics. In addition, the cohorts were examined for trends of prevalence over a period of time. Results indicated that established aetiology was much more often present in the prenatal period than in the peri- or postnatal periods in the ASD group. Cerebral palsy and visual impairment were under-represented in the ASD group. Partial seizures tended to be more common and generalized seizures less common in the ASD group compared with the non-ASD group. Seizure onset was later in the ASD group. Many of the significant differences were accounted for by a large group of psychiatrically unclassifiable participants in the non-ASD group. There was no trend towards an increase of affected children over the 12-year period. There was no increase in the prevalence of active epilepsy and learning disability nor in the rate of autism with active epilepsy and learning disability in children born between 1981 and 1986 compared with those born from 1976 to 1980, indicating no statistical association with the general measles-mumps-rubella vaccination introduced in the early 1980s.

In order to assess patterns of usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in families of children with cerebral palsy (CP), 213 families with a child (0 to 18 years) with CP were recruited at the university medical center in Ann Arbor, MI, USA as part of a descriptive survey. Two hundred and thirty-five surveys were distributed. Mean age of the child was 8 years 6 months (SD 4y:9mo) and 56% of the sample was male with 35% full-time independent ambulators, while the rest used an assistive device or a wheelchair. Fifty-four percent were in special education classrooms. Families were given a survey on functional status of the child with CP, CAM usage of the child and the parent, factors influencing the decision to use CAM, demographics, and clinical information. Of the families, 56%, used one or more CAM techniques. Massage therapy (25%) and aquatherapy (25%) were the most common. Children of families that used CAM were significantly younger (7y:9mo, SD 4y:7mo) than non-users (9y:6mo, SD 4y:6mo: t-test p<0.01 two-tailed). Children with quadriplegic CP, with spasticity, and those who could not walk independently were more commonly exposed to CAM (Pearson's χ2 [Pχ2] p=0.01 two-tailed; for mobility, odds ratio [OR] of 2.5 with regression). Mothers with a college degree had a greater tendency to use CAM for their child than those without (Pχ2p=0.01 two-tailed). Fathers of children who used CAM were older than fathers of those who did not (37y:9mo versus 33y:2mo, p=0.04 two-tailed). There was no significant difference between groups for mother's age, father's education, income, or for population of home town. Parents who used CAM for themselves were more likely to try CAM for their child (70% versus 47%, OR 2.1), and were much more likely to be pleased with the outcome (71% versus 42%, OR 3.5). Child's age (younger), lack of independent mobility, and parental use of CAM were the most significant predictive factors identified via logistic regression.

One-hundred and fifty-seven vertically infected HIV-1 positive infants (85 males, 72 females) underwent longitudinal assessment to determine whether early neurodevelopmental markers are useful predictors of mortality in those infants who survive to at least 4 months of age. Survival analysis methods were used to estimate time to death for quartiles of 4-month scores (baseline) on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Cox proportional hazards progression was used to estimate relative hazard (RH, 95% CI) of death for BSID scores and potential confounders. Thirty infants with BSID scores at 4 months of age died during follow-up. Survival analysis revealed greater mortality rates in infants with BSID (Mental Developmental Index and Psychomotor Developmental Index) scores in the lower quartile(p=0.004, p=0.036). Unadjusted univariate analyses revealed increased mortality associated with baseline CD4+ 29%, gestational age <37 weeks, smaller head circumference, advanced HIV and higher plasma viral load. BSID scores independently predicted mortality after adjusting for treatment, clinical category, gestational age, plasma viral load and CD4+ percentage.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of a progressive strength training programme on walking ability in adults with cerebral palsy. Ten individuals with spastic diplegia (seven males, three females; mean age 31, range 23–44 years) participated twice a week over 10 weeks. Seven individuals with spastic diplegia (four males, three females; mean age 33, range 25–47 years) who did not receive strength training served as controls. All individuals were ambulatory but motor ability ranged from functional walkers to individuals who always required walking aids and used a wheelchair regularly. Significant improvements were seen in isometric strength (hip extensors p=0.006, hip abductors p=0.01), and in isokinetic concentric work at 30°/s (knee extensors p=0.02) but not in eccentric work. Results also showed significant improvements in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) dimensions D and E (p=0.005), walking velocity (p=0.005), and Timed Up and Go (p=0.01). There was no increase in spasticity for those who underwent strength training. Individuals in the control group did not show any significant improvement in any measured variable. The groups were small, however, and there was no significant difference between the groups in any measured variable. These findings suggest that a 10-week progressive strength training programme improves muscle strength and walking ability without increasing spasticity.