RIYADH: Prince Salman Center for Disability Research will organize a two-day workshop starting Monday on Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Stroke as a model for developing systems for best medical care in the Kingdom. Leading American medical experts will address the workshop at PSCDR and discuss developing a better understanding of disabling conditions using the most prevalent disabling neurological situation among children and adults. Mindy Lipon Aisen, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Clinical Professor and Chief Neuro Rehabilitation, University of Southern California and Medical Director, Cerebral Palsy, International Research Foundation and Amytis Towfighi, MD and Chair of Neurology, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, and Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Southern California will review new approaches to neurological rehabilitation and changes in neurological rehabilitation practice. The Americans will also discuss developing a model for comprehensive care through a lifetime with an emphasis on inclusion, participation, vocational opportunities and reintegration of the disabled into the mainstream society. Riyadh-based PSCDR is a globally recognized center of excellence in disability research. The center's mission is to improve the quality of life for the disabled. The workshop's topic was chosen as Cerebral Palsy as the most common condition of childhood causing motor disability due to acquired brain damage (including but not limited to vascular damage) before the age of two years, while stroke is the most common condition of adulthood causing motor disability, according to the abstract presented of the papers submitted earlier. Stroke is due to acquired vascular damage of the brain of the older child or adult. CP and stroke share many clinical features including potential impact on cognitive/behavioral functions, seizures, strength, coordination, muscle tone, pain, and ambulation. These conditions also have secondary and tertiary complications, including osteoporosis/risk for fractures, contractures, bedsores and respiratory conditions. Tertiary complications include, impaired community access, vocational limitations, social isolation, and risks for familial neglect. The two-day workshop will review the most current medical theories of causes and patho-physiology of brain damage in CP and stroke victims. Mechanisms of brain damage, risk factors, and promising new treatments to limit brain injury at the time of the inciting event will be discussed. The PSCDR ensures that the outcome of research studies would be utilized to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The center's activities are focused on biomedical, educational, technological, social and public awareness, as well as legal and regulatory research. “Our collaborators and partners are important constituents in our activities. The Center endeavors to enhance capacity-building by complementing rather than duplicating efforts, thus achieving required capabilities,” said a PSCDR official. Through collaboration and partnership, the center ensures the flow of knowledge and technology and its utilization for the benefit of the disabled, he added.
