Posts by: Steve Bryson PhD

Steve Bryson PhD

Steve holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada. He worked as a medical scientist for 18 years, within both industry and academia, where his research focused on the discovery of new medicines to treat inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases. Steve recently stepped away from the lab and into science communications, where he’s helping make medical science information more accessible for everyone.

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021

Study Finds Varying Perspectives From Parents on Spinraza Therapy for Children

News

Parents of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) reported different perspectives and concerns about Spinraza (nusinersen) therapy in an interview-based study, done to further understand the decision-making process involved in ... Read more

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021

Quantitative MRI Is Sensitive Measure of Muscle Decline

News

Young adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) exhibited thigh muscle decline despite stable strength and motor function over one year, a pilot study using quantitative MRI imaging demonstrated. The scientists ... Read more

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

More Severe COVID-19 Symptoms Seen in Children with SMA Type 1

News

Among children with neuromuscular disorders, those with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA 1) appear to be more vulnerable to more severe COVID-19 symptoms, a small study suggests. However, the ... Read more

December 30, 2020

Informal SMA Caregivers Surveyed in Europe Report High Daily Burden

News

Non-professional caregivers who care for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) carry a high daily burden that negatively affects certain aspects of their lives, according to a questionnaire study conducted ... Read more

December 14, 2020December 14, 2020

Financial Burden of SMA Much Higher Than Other Conditions, Analysis Shows

News

Direct medical costs associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are more than 50 times higher than those of matched control patients without SMA, according to a healthcare claims analysis. The ... Read more

December 11, 2020December 11, 2020

Measuring Neurological Impact of Polio Proves Useful in SMA, Study Reports

News

Researchers have found changes in the electrical activity between the brain and muscles in adults who had childhood polio — an infection that affects the same motor neurons as those ... Read more

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020

Genetic Analysis of Families Finds Novel Mutations in SMA

News

Genetic analysis of 28 families with a member affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) identified novel mutations in the SMN1 gene and different genes widely prevalent in SMA patients not ... Read more

November 18, 2020November 18, 2020

SMA Mutations Impact Development, Protein Production in Prenatal Mice

News

An analysis of prenatal mice embryos carrying genetic mutations that cause severe cases of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) found overall developmental growth delays and changes in protein production in all ... Read more

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020

Gene Therapy Reduces Disease Severity in SMA Mouse Model, Study Shows

News

Gene therapy that increased the production of a protein called DOK7 in a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) mouse model was found to improve the neuromuscular junction structure, reduce muscle fiber ... Read more

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020

4-aminopyridine Fails to Improve Muscle Function in SMA Type 3 Patients, Small Trial Finds

News

Treatment with the molecule 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) failed to improve the motor function, endurance, and muscle strength of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 patients who are able to walk, according ... Read more