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Adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) recommend individually tailored patient-reported outcome measures, or PROMs, to accurately gauge their lived experience, with a focus that goes beyond assessments of physical function to incorporate mental health, sexual function, sleep, and fatigue. “New or modified patient-reported outcome measures should be developed collaboratively…

Poor sleep is associated with more severe depressive symptoms and respiratory issues in adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a survey study of 50 patients in Italy reports. Adequate sleep was more likely to be lacking and symptoms of depression were more severe in people with SMA type…

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,…

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may help lower the risk of children’s bone fractures among young patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study by U.S. researchers suggests. “Drug therapy led to a decrease in fracture occurrence,” the scientists wrote, noting that “patients on treatment had fewer fractures compared [with] pretreatment.”…

Note: This story has been updated March 6, 2025, to correct a quote from Mindy Henderson, MDA vice president of disability outreach and empowerment. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is once again hosting its annual gathering, the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. The 2025 event will take place…

SMA Europe is funding five new research projects that are intended to advance understanding of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and guide the development of new therapies. The funding comes as part of SMA Europe’s 12th Call for Research proposals, which the advocacy organization runs every other year to…

The parts of cells that produce energy, called mitochondria, in the skeletal muscles involved in voluntary movements don’t work properly in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and may contribute to the disease’s symptoms, a study in mice and cells suggests. Engaging mice in a single session of exercise or adding…

Spinraza (nusinersen) treatment may help restore balance to the levels of some lipids, fat-like molecules that are lower in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) than in healthy children, a small study found. Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, is the fluid around the brain…

Newborn screening (NBS) programs for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were available in 33 countries as of the beginning of 2024, including the U.S. and most countries in the European Union. That’s according to a survey that gathered responses from experts in 80 countries. According to the researchers, “projections indicate…