Bhooma Aravamuthan, MD, DPhil, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Director of the Cerebral Palsy and Mobility Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will be the inaugural speaker in the new Global Guest Speaker Series hosted by the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital.
This free monthly virtual event features leading international experts who share insights on childhood disability research, rehabilitation, and inclusion, and provides a platform for cross-border knowledge exchange and global thought leadership.
Talk title: Pathophysiology of dystonia in cerebral palsy
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Time: 11:30–12:30 p.m. CT
Virtual event: Zoom
Moderator: Dr. Darcy Fehlings, Developmental Pediatrician and Senior Clinician Scientist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Find out more and register here: BRI Global Guest Speaker Series
Talk summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong motor disability globally and the condition most often associated with dystonia, a debilitating movement disorder that is underdiagnosed and lacks evidence-based treatment regimens. This talk will discuss multi-modal methods to facilitate dystonia assessment clinically and in animal models of CP, and how these methods are being used to identify novel treatment targets for dystonia in CP.
About Dr. Aravamuthan
Bhooma Aravamuthan, MD, DPhil, FAAN, FCNS is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Director of the Cerebral Palsy and Mobility Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. As a systems neuroscientist and pediatric movement disorders specialist, she conducts translational research on dystonia pathophysiology in cerebral palsy. Her research is funded through multiple sources including the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, Centers for Disease Control, and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Her awards include the American Academy of Neurology Jon Stolk Award and the Child Neurology Society Philip R. Dodge Award.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact the BRI Global Guest Speaker Series team at BRISpeakerSeries@hollandbloorview.ca