News

Pediatric neurologists who are more comfortable with ambiguity are more likely to make suboptimal treatment decisions for their patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), according to a new study from Spain. “Our results may contribute to the growing evidence of the relevance of value-based shared decision-making for the current…

Zolgensma safely and effectively halts disease progression in infants genetically diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) but not yet showing symptoms, according to final data from the SPR1NT Phase 3 clinical trial. “When treated with Zolgensma prior to the onset of symptoms, not only did all 29 patients…

The Australian state of Queensland is expanding its newborn screening program to include the genetic conditions spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). New testing capabilities are expected to be in place by next May, with the free screening to begin soon after. Queensland, Australia’s second-largest state,…

The video opens with Blake Shofner driving and saying to his younger brother, Nolan, “Dang Nolan, these roads are terrible.” Nolan Shofner, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, replies in a southern accent with a computerized voice: “My bones are bouncing all over the place.” With…

Researchers in China report having developed a fast and reliable way for a genetic diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and to identify carriers, those who do not have the disease but can still pass it to their children. Called mass spectrometry-copy number variation, or MS-CNV, the new method was found…

MicroRNAs isolated from the bloodstream of patients with infant-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 before treatment were related to functional responses to Spinraza (nusinersen) after six months of therapy, a study suggested. Researchers said these microRNAs may be potential biomarkers to predict or monitor patients’ responses to…

Pediatric neurologists’ expectations in terms of treatment benefits are decidedly higher for infants and toddlers with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 1 and 2 than for adolescent patients, a study in Spain shows. Notably, neurologists with low aversion to ambiguity and low expectation of treatment benefits were more likely…

The total medical costs associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are lower for patients diagnosed at birth via newborn screening, compared with those diagnosed after they start showing symptoms of the disease, a new study has found. These findings “demonstrate clearly that as long as the decision to reimburse…

The newborn screening program at Cadham Provincial Laboratory in Manitoba, Canada, is expanding to include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), according to an announcement from Audrey Gordon, the province’s health minister. “Early diagnosis is the key to improving outcomes for babies born with metabolic, endocrine or genetic disorders such as…

A new modeling study predicts that higher doses of Spinraza (nusinersen) may improve its effectiveness compared with the approved 12 mg dose. The study used data from two clinical trials that evaluated the disease-modifying therapy in infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). “The [pharmalogical] model indicates that the…