Diaphragm muscle function in a mouse model of early-onset spasticity

Developmental motor control dysfunctions, including spastic cerebral palsy (sCP) often have respiratory components. Spa mutant mice exhibit a spastic phenotype closely resembling sCP symptoms. Using the spa mouse model of spastic cerebral palsy (sCP), we quantified transdiaphragmatic pressure deficits, diaphragm muscle weakness, and fiber type-specific atrophy, improving our understanding of respiratory dysfunctions in sCP.