MUGgLEs Making Magic for Cerebral Palsy Research

By Nicola Smith on July 27, 2021 in News

Science in Action. Photo: Jessica Meades

The MUGgLE study at the NeuRA Imaging Facility in Randwick wants local kids aged 5-15 to assist with research on the effects of cerebral palsy on muscle development.
Dr Bart Bolsterlee, one of the lead MUGgLE researchers, said the research is some of the first of its kind.
“This is the first study looking at muscle growth in this depth and collecting data on muscle growth in children. We’re hoping to quantify differences in growth in children with and without cerebral palsy,” Dr Bolsterlee told The Beast.
The study is a collaboration between Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, University of New South Wales and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and is run by Professor Rob Herbert and Professor Caroline Rae, along with Dr Bolsterlee.
It aims to build fundamental knowledge of different children’s muscle development to compare with children who have cerebral palsy.
Dr Bolsterlee told The Beast that to do that, they needed families from the local community to get involved.
“In the study we are hoping to scan 320 kids, 200 of those will be typically developing. We’re halfway through but we really need more children to be involved,” Dr Bolsterlee explained.
One in three children with cerebral palsy can’t walk and it is the leading cause of childhood disability in the West.
Researchers measure children’s height and weight, as well as making some observations on ankle stiffness (a common problem for children with cerebral palsy). They then conduct an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan in a special MRI scanner, which is operated by NeuRA and is part of the National Imaging Facility.
Dr Bolsterlee said that the process is similar to what you would undergo if you had torn a muscle or ligament in your leg and needed imaging.
“There’s no harmful radiation, just a strong magnetic field. The kids can even watch a movie while they do it. I tell them all they have to do is do nothing, and stay completely still,” Dr Bolsterlee said.
The study also includes infants aged 0-3 months who are scanned using a ‘feed-and-wrap’ technique where a baby is induced into natural sleep after a feed and then wrapped to hold the legs still during the scan, meaning no sedation is involved.
The MRI technology being used is the key to the research as it allows researchers to view the muscle in high detail through Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
“This imaging lets us look at the muscle fibres, which are about as thick as a piece of hair, and see their structure,” Dr Bolsterlee told The Beast.
Justine Currell, a mum from North Bondi, said she was more than happy to sign her three children up for the study.
“They weren’t scared at all, they were so excited, and they’re getting to see science in action,” Ms Currell said.
Ms Currell’s children, Barnaby, Mouse and Charlie, will have their leg muscles scanned three times, 1.5 years apart.
Dr Bolsterlee said he feels that being involved in the project is beneficial for children.
“Most of our referrals are by word of mouth, because children have such a great time they tell all their friends,” Dr Bolsterlee said.
Ms Currell agrees, saying she would encourage other parents to get involved.
“Definitely get involved. It’s harmless and it’s a chance to be involved in something meaningful. It’s been a great reminder, especially in this area of great privilege, that there are other kids that do struggle, and we can do things to help them,” Ms Currell said.
To find out more about the MUGgLE study please visit muggle.neura.edu.au.