Neural Predictors of Hand Therapy Efficacy in Children with Cerebral Palsy

1. How do motor circuits interact and change in response to intensive hand therapy?
2. Does the efficacy of intensive hand therapy depend on laterality of the corticospinal tract that controls the affected hand?

The proposed experiments will answer these questions. Children are not little adults. Therapies for USCP must be built on a strong understanding of motor control in USCP. By identifying the neural circuit effects of CIMT vs. HABIT, we can tailor therapies to children most likely to benefit. This work will also provide a framework for developing new activity-based therapies for USCP.