Groundbreaking partnership funded by SFI and Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Life
Research centre Infant at UCC has announced a five-year initiative focussed on cerebral palsy worth €11.6 million.
Funded by Science Foundation Ireland’s Strategic Partnership Programme and The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Elevate will be led by the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, partnering with RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin and all the tertiary-level maternity hospitals in Ireland.
Elevate brings together a team of researchers and experts in early brain injury to create AI screening algorithms, devise novel detection methods, explore potential new treatments, and, most importantly, actively involve cerebral palsy-affected families in ongoing trials, education, and information platforms. The programme will also see the establishment of a cerebral palsy registry in Ireland, to track the rate of the condition for the first time, and enable access to the best research and clinical trials.
Dr Siobhan Roche, Director, Science for the Economy at Science Foundation Ireland, said: “SFI is proud to be able to support the Elevate programme which aims to make Ireland a world-leading hub for research and innovation in early brain injury and cerebral palsy. The potential impact of the Elevate programme is significant, with the active involvement of patients, clinicians and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in this important research being key to improving the long-term outcomes for children and adults with early brain injury and cerebral palsy.”
Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the CPF, said: “The ELEVATE team shares a vision of creating meaningful change in the lives of individuals living with Cerebral Palsy as well as their families. This partnership will be a game changer for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Cerebral Palsy in Ireland. At the Cerebral Palsy Foundation we are committed to accelerating innovation and pave the way for personalised, evidence-based interventions at the most crucial time in a child’s life.”
Elevate will be co-led by Prof Geraldine Boylan (Neurophysiologist and Professor of Neonatal Physiology at UCC) and Prof Deirdre Murray (Consultant Pediatrician and Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy at UCC).
Infant director, Prof Geraldine Boylan, stated: “We are very excited to lead this transformative research programme at INFANT alongside our partners and are very grateful to SFI and CPF for their support. Families affected by Cerebral Palsy are integral to our work, guiding us at every stage. By enhancing the prevention, detection, and treatment of early brain injury and Cerebral Palsy in Ireland, we are dedicated to providing better outcomes for both the child and the family.”
TechCentral Reporters