NEWS
International collaboration to strengthen research on adults with cerebral palsy
Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) face an increased risk of pain, fatigue, falls, cardiovascular disease and mental ill health as they age. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now received funding from Forte to bring the American researcher Mark Peterson to Sweden. The initiative aims to strengthen knowledge about health, work ability and ageing among people with CP.
The research project "Cerebral Palsy – A Lifelong Disability: Collaboration for Strengthened Health and Welfare Among Adults" at Karolinska Institutet has received funding from Forte to recruit American visiting professor Mark Peterson. The aim is to strengthen Swedish research on adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and generate new knowledge that can contribute to improved health and quality of life for this group.
In Forte’s 2026 Visiting Researchers USA call, which closed in January, six out of 25 applicants were awarded funding ranging from SEK 1.3 million to SEK 1.9 million to bring a researcher from a U.S. research institution into their project. The call aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between the Swedish and U.S. research communities.
Combining expertise advances knowledge of health, work capacity and ageing in people with cerebral palsy
As adults with cerebral palsy age, they face an increased risk of a range of health problems that can affect both daily life and work ability.
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability affecting movement in children and is a lifelong condition. Despite this, research focusing on adults with CP has long been limited. As people with CP age, they face an increased risk of a range of health conditions that can affect both everyday life and work ability.
Through this collaboration, the researchers hope to benefit from both Swedish and international expertise.
Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet is the leader the research project at Karolinska Institutet.
– By combining Mark’s world-leading expertise in muscle physiology, epidemiology and registry research with our muscle laboratory and Sweden’s unique national quality registry, CPUP, we will gain new knowledge about health, work ability and ageing among people with CP. This will contribute to research with direct relevance for healthcare, policy development and societal planning in Sweden.
The project’s overall objective is to strengthen Swedish capacity in public health and disability research while generating new knowledge of major importance for healthcare, rehabilitation and welfare systems.
By combining Mark’s world-leading expertise in muscle physiology, epidemiology and registry research with our muscle laboratory and Sweden’s unique national quality registry, CPUP, we will gain new knowledge about health, work ability and ageing among people with CP.
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Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet
Associate Professor of Experimental Orthopaedics at Uppsala University and affiliated researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
The cooperation can improvethe access to healthcare
– Mark views his stay in Sweden as an opportunity to develop a long-term international research collaboration.
As one of the world’s leading research environments, Karolinska Institutet was a highly attractive destination for me. I wanted to engage in international scientific exchange and collaborate on issues related to health and well-being among adults living with cerebral palsy, he says.
For people with cerebral palsy, who often experience inequalities in access to healthcare, this makes international collaboration more important than ever. We need to continue generating knowledge that can improve access to care and health outcomes.
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Mark Peterson
Professor in clinical research design and biostatistics, University of Michigan and affiliated researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
During his time in Sweden, he will contribute to research on risk factors for secondary health conditions, the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare, and preventive interventions that can promote health, work ability and participation in society among adults with CP.
Mark also highlights differences in research funding conditions between Sweden and the United States.
– Recent changes in the federal research funding landscape in the United States have made it more difficult to secure funding for research concerning vulnerable populations. For people with cerebral palsy, who often experience inequalities in access to healthcare, this makes international collaboration more important than ever. We need to continue generating knowledge that can improve access to care and health outcomes.
TEXT: Lotta Segelberg
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong disability caused by an injury or disturbance to the developing brain before, during or shortly after birth. The condition primarily affects movement, muscle control, balance and posture. Symptoms vary from person to person.
Source: 1177
CPUP
CPUP (Cerebral Palsy Follow-Up Programme) is Sweden’s national quality registry and follow-up programme for people with cerebral palsy. Through regular assessments, health, function and treatment are monitored to identify and prevent complications at an early stage and to increase knowledge about CP, contributing to more equitable healthcare.
Source: CPUP
