Cerebral Palsy Across the Lifespan: Neurologic Surveillance, Cognition, and Precision Medicine*
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Room: Coral 1
Track: Interactive Lunch Workshop (ILW)
Session Description
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong motor disability affecting between 2-4/1000 people worldwide, a prevalence comparable to Parkinson’s disease. Most people with CP alive in the US today are adults, with 40% of people with CP in the US being over the age of 30. Recent evidence shows that 12-30% of people with CP have a contributing genetic etiology, opening up avenues for precision medicine management approaches. Furthermore, people with CP are prone to new and evolving neurologic conditions as they age, including dementia, myelopathy, stroke, and new-onset epilepsy. We will discuss the epidemiology and diagnostic evaluation of CP (including the value of genetic testing), the role of precision medicine in CP across the lifespan, and how to screen for and manage neurologic conditions in people with CP as they age. Finally, we will pose areas ripe for research in adults with CP, including early life risk factors for dementia and preventative strategies.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the new-onset and evolving neurologic conditions that occur in adults with CP.
- Complete a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of CP across the lifespan, including genetic testing.
- Screen for and describe research on preventative strategies for cognitive decline and dementia in adults with CP.
Speakers
Genetic Testing in Cerebral Palsy: Opportunities for Precision Medicine Interventions
Description
Advances in genomic medicine are reshaping our understanding of cerebral palsy, revealing that a significant proportion of cases have an underlying genetic etiology. As genetic testing becomes increasingly integrated into clinical practice, identifying these etiologies can improve diagnostic accuracy, inform prognosis, guide clinical management, and uncover opportunities for precision medicine interventions.
This presentation will examine the role of genetic testing in the evaluation of cerebral palsy, with a focus on identifying genetic causes and understanding their implications for patient care. Participants will explore the evolving evidence supporting genetic testing, discuss how molecular diagnoses can influence treatment decisions and clinical outcomes, and review emerging precision medicine approaches for genetically defined forms of cerebral palsy.
Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the expanding role of genetics in cerebral palsy and practical strategies for integrating genetic testing into patient evaluation to support more personalized, evidence-based care.
Neurologic Surveillance in Adults with CP
Description
Advances in medical care have enabled individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) to live longer, shifting attention toward the long-term neurological complications that can emerge in adulthood. Growing evidence indicates that adults with CP are at increased risk for conditions such as stroke, new-onset seizures, and dementia, underscoring the need for proactive neurological surveillance and evidence-based management.
This presentation will examine the neurological health risks associated with aging in adults with cerebral palsy, with a focus on the increased incidence of stroke, epilepsy, and cognitive decline compared with the general population. Participants will review the current evidence supporting neurologic screening and surveillance, discuss strategies for early recognition and risk assessment, and explore best practices for the prevention and management of these neurological complications. Topics will also include the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care to optimize long-term outcomes for adults with CP.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the evolving neurological needs of adults with cerebral palsy and practical strategies for incorporating evidence-based surveillance and management into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
