Posts by: Marisa Wexler, MS

Marisa Wexler, MS

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

Phase 2 Trial of Amifampridine in SMA Type 3 Patients Fully Enrolled

News

A clinical trial testing oral amifampridine phosphate in people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 who are able to walk is fully enrolled, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals announced in a press release. Marketed under ... Read more

July 15, 2020July 16, 2020

Guidance on Zolgensma in Europe Notes Lack of ‘Evidence’ for Broad Use

News

Identifying those spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients who will benefit most from treatment with Zolgensma requires more than assessing traditional SMA types, according to a consensus statement from a panel of European ... Read more

July 1, 2020July 1, 2020

New Glia Cell Markers May Provide Insight Into Neuromuscular Diseases, Study Says

News

Perisynaptic Schwann cells — a specialized type of cell that helps facilitate communication between neurons and muscle cells — express specific molecular markers, which could make it easier to ... Read more

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020

Disparities Found in Parents, Children’s Perceptions of SMA

News

Perceptions about illness often don’t line up between children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their parents, with mothers and fathers often perceiving disease severity as worse than their ... Read more

June 12, 2020July 23, 2020

Cure SMA Details Its ‘Clinical Trial Readiness Program’

News

A readiness program to help clinical trial sites prepare to run spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) studies has been established by Cure SMA in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, other patient ... Read more

June 10, 2020June 10, 2020

Interviews Probe How Unaffected Siblings Learn Genetic Implications of SMA

News

Siblings of people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who do not have the disease themselves tend to learn about it gradually over time from both their parents and external ... Read more

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020

Too Little Known About Care Needs of Adults with SMA, Study Says

News

A better understanding of the needs of adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), best ensuring for their mental and social — as well as physical — well-being, is necessary to guide ... Read more

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020

Mom Writes of Family and Doctor ‘Partnership’ That Led to Baby’s Spinraza Treatment

News

A family’s journey through the diagnosis and treatment of their baby girl, born with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), was the focus of a paper written by her ... Read more

April 22, 2020May 15, 2020

Taking Part in Adapted Sports Improves Mental Health, Study Finds

News

Among people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular disorders, participation in adapted sports is associated with greater self-esteem, lesser depression, and a better quality of life, a ... Read more

April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Lack of Muscle Cell Signaling Seen to Kill Motor Neurons in SMA-LED2

News

Problems with the secretion of survival signals from muscle cells seems to be the dominant driver of motor neuron loss in spinal muscular atrophy lower extremity predominant 2 (SMA-LED2), ... Read more

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