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Muscle fasciculations, or twitches, in adolescents and adults with later onset forms of spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) were detected best with a muscle ultrasound, a study concluded. Muscle ultrasound combined with a physical examination is useful for screening adolescents and adults with weakness in muscles closest to the center…

Among adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) being treated with Spinraza (nusinersen), a decrease in levels of the inflammatory protein YKL-40 in the fluid around the brain is associated with improvements in arm and hand function, according to a new study. “We conclude that YKL-40 in CSF [cerebrospinal…

The RNA-binding protein Mid1 increases levels of the mutated androgen receptor (AR) that drives nerve cell degeneration in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a new study shows. Since Mid1 is expressed mainly in lower motor neurons, the nerve cells mainly affected in SBMA, the study’s researchers proposed that…

No new safety signals related to Evrysdi (risdiplam) were documented in a compassionate use program in Germany where more than 100 people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were treated with the oral therapy prior to its approval last year, a new study reports. “We present the first real-world…

Two years of training with a wearable cyborg hybrid assistive limb (HAL), combined with leuprorelin therapy, markedly improved the walking abilities of a man with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a case study reports. “This report describes the first successful case in the history of SBMA treatment in…

Scientists have revealed specific alterations to the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) — the place where nerves connect to the muscle they control — in fast-twitch muscle fibers in two mouse models of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). The team also provided evidence for metabolic impairment and muscle fiber atrophy…

Spinraza (nusinersen) treatment was generally well tolerated and led to improved or stabilized motor function for nearly 300 children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Poland, a new study reports. The study, “Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a widely available nusinersen program for Polish children with Spinal Muscular…

Undergoing physical therapy nearly every day while on Spinraza (nusinersen) leads to significantly greater motor improvements than occasional sessions for children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a small study suggests. These benefits — detected in patients with SMA type 1, type 2, and type…

Note: This story was updated July 13, 2022, to correct the name of Rare-X’s CEO Charlene Son Rigby. Nonprofits, scientists, governmental organizations, and the rare disease drug development industry have long cited 7,000 as the average number of rare diseases in the world.

Two children genetically diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) before birth and starting treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen) within the first days of life have shown normal motor development, including a girl who is now almost 6 years old, a study reports. The girl was likely to develop SMA…