Connecting chloride transporter impairment following perinatal brain injury to cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders caused by injury to the developing central nervous system (CNS) that results in motor impairment, and often, an array of neurological comorbidities. Recent insights into CP pathophysiology have implicated a disruption in transporter-mediated chloride homeostasis, important for maintaining the balance of excitation and inhibition in the developing CNS. Within this chapter, we discuss the role of chloride transporter development and its involvement in the elaboration of spasticity, hyperreflexia, chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction in CP. We then review the emerging neuroreparative therapies concomitant with direct or indirect action on chloride transporter expression and function that may be useful in mitigating specific aspects of CP pathophysiology and symptomology.