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Researchers have developed a new laboratory technique for measuring levels of Spinraza (nusinersen), an approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), in biological fluids. The test is expected to help overcome some limitations of other approaches now in use, and may therefore aid scientists and physicians when studying the effects…

Jerry R. Mendell, MD, has been named to the inaugural TIME100 Health list for his decades-long contributions to the treatment of neuromuscular diseases — such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — and the advancement of gene therapy. The global media brand’s list…

A range of genetic mutations associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were linked to abnormal activation of the immune system in fly models, which a team of U.S. researchers believe could be a mechanism that contributes to neurodegeneration in the rare disease. Altogether, the evidence indicated that these exacerbated…

EXG001-307, an investigational nerve cell-targeting gene therapy being developed by Exegenesis Bio, was well tolerated and helped a small group of young children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 to better control their heads and sit up on their own. That’s according to new data from a…

Twenty-six children were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Russia through a 2022 pilot program, out of nearly 203,000 newborns who were screened for the rare genetic disease. That’s according to a study, “Epidemiology of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Based on the Results of a Large-Scale…

SMN-K186R, a modified version of the SMN protein that is deficient in people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), was more effective than normal SMN when delivered by gene therapy, a mouse study demonstrated. Treatment with lower doses of the modified SMN gene therapy, to reduce liver-related toxicity seen…

A program designed to provide data and tools for people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) identified through newborn screening (NBS) can help families and clinicians engage with public health agencies and ensure the best possible outcomes, a study found. The Long-Term Follow-up Cares and Check Initiative (LTFU-Cares and…

A girl with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) undergoing surgery to correct scoliosis, an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, experienced a severe drop in blood pressure and oxygen levels due to the position of the surgical table, according to a case study. The tilt of the table that…

Levels of certain molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord — may help researchers distinguish between different types of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study suggests. The study, “Metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid reveals candidate diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish…

An early spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) diagnosis with the help of a newborn screening program, and treatment with disease-modifying therapies before symptom onset, may prevent the development of SMA symptoms, according to a new study in Italy. The study found that children born without symptoms who started treatment shortly…