Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

A man in Brazil was found to have an exceptionally rare form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — called SMA with lower extremity predominance, or SMA-LED — caused by a mutation in the TBK1 gene, as described in a new case report. Mutations in the TBK1 gene have…

A technique called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can be used to measure body composition in people with type 2 or 3 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a new study reports. The study, “A comparative analysis of body composition assessment by BIA and DXA in children with type…

There are more than 1,200 people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) living in Italy, and the vast majority are on disease-modifying treatment, according to a new study. SMA types 2 and 3 are the most common forms of the disease in the country, but the prevalence…

People with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 or 3 who start treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen) and show less muscle damage on MRI scans are more likely to see motor function improvements, a new study reports. The finding “underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to obtain…

Without disease-modifying treatment (DMT), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) carries high mortality rates and steep healthcare costs, a study in Hong Kong reported. Not surprisingly, the greatest loss of life and highest costs were observed in children with SMA type 1, one of this disease’s most severe forms with…

A new system that contains a gene-modulating therapy attached to an antibody that enables crossing into the nervous system improved survival outcomes in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a new study reports. The study, “Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate achieves central nervous system delivery in…

Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who have lower levels of an inflammatory protein called interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord tend to respond better to treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen), a new study suggests. The findings indicate that IL-8 is a better predictor of…

After two years of treatment with Evrysdi (risdiplam), most babies with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 in the FIREFISH clinical trial are still alive without a need for permanent ventilation, and many of the youngsters are showing continual improvements in motor development. The results were published in …

Continued treatment with apitegromab, designed to strengthen muscles, led to stabilization or improvement in measures of fatigue and life quality for children and young adults with types 2 and 3 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), according to new data from the TOPAZ clinical trial. According to apitegromab’s developer…

Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) switching from Spinraza (nusinersen) to Evrysdi (risdiplam) are generally optimistic about the switch as are their caregivers, according to a new study. The report, “How children and caregivers viewed the change from nusinersen to risdiplam for treating spinal…