Various ethical and social factors influence care decisions for families affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in this new era of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), according to a Canadian study. In interviews, caregivers reported that a range of factors, including financial resources and their expectations of treatment outcomes, influenced their…
Muscle-related body composition measures improved in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3 who were treated with Spinraza (nusinersen), and the improvements correlated with better motor function, a study found. “Indicators of muscle mass increased in children with SMA types 2 and 3 as treatment…
The balance of amino acids capable of influencing neurological function is disrupted in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and in mouse models, a study found. Observed changes in patients were partially normalized after treatment with the disease-modifying therapy Spinraza (nusinersen). Treatment with one of the amino acids,…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking participants for its survey-based study Living Rare, which aims to better understand the real-world lived experiences of people in the U.S. with rare diseases. Living Rare, the first large-scale study of its kind in the U.S., seeks to capture the…
Tests by MRC Holland for identifying genetic mutations associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have met new regulatory requirements in the European Union (EU), enabling them to remain certified for diagnostic use. Products that have received the new certification include the MC002 Newborn Screen, MLPA Probemix P060 SMA Carrier,…
Treatment with OAV101 IT, a formulation of the gene therapy Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) that’s delivered directly into the spinal canal, safely led to motor improvements for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2 who were at least 2 years old, top-line results from the Phase 3 STEER…
Swallowing function may have improved in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients since disease-modifying therapies (DMT) have become available, a review study suggests. The analysis showed problems with swallowing were prevalent in the years before the emergence of DMTs and that studies after the treatments became available indicated stabilizations…
At Cure SMA’s 13th annual Hope on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients, their families, lawmakers, and other advocates gathered to celebrate recent progress in disease research and legislative priorities for the SMA community. Among the speakers at the event were several members…
Low bone mineral density (BMD), which leaves bones weak and prone to fractures, was found to be prevalent among children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in China in a recent report. Older age, especially beyond a cut-off of 6.3 years, was associated with a higher likelihood of having low…
In the absence of treatment, the long-term progression of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3 is highly variable and seems to be influenced by factors including a patient’s age and functional status, according to four years of data in a natural history study. Generally, those with better…
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