Hemispheric Specialization for Motor Function and Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy:

Abstract

The localization of injury to a single hemisphere in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy potentially affects the development of hemispheric specialization. The motor dysfunction seen may, in part, depend of the particular hemisphere that is damaged. The purpose of this article was to review the available literature to determine whether the motor function of the child with hemiplegic cerebral palsy depends on which hemisphere is damaged. The development of specialization, the effects of early lesions of specialization, and motor function in children with right and left hemisphere lesions were explored. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found, although a trend for children with right hemisphere lesions to have less severe motor dysfunction was discovered. A potential explanation for this was discussed.