Imaging for diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy

Neuroimaging, particularly with magnetic resonance techniques, can provide insight into the pattern and severity of cerebral injury underlying cerebral palsy providing a neuroanatomic understanding of the motor and related deficits. Early identification of injury before the establishment of marked motor deficits provides an opportunity for neuroprotection. Neuroimaging provides a robust manner for early delineation of the risk and nature of cerebral palsy that an infant may face. In the future, imaging may provide more functional methods, including novel methods such as optical tomography, map regeneration, adaptation, and functional recovery.