A patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will need a multidisciplinary approach to their medical management. Babies and children with type 1 and type 2 SMA may need help with breathing. The amount of help they need will depend on the severity of their condition. Some may only…
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In this video from the DNA Learning Center, attorney Steve Mikita recalls his time at Duke University and taking the bar exam as an adult with type 3 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Learn more about the five steps of SMA diagnosis. Mikita was determined to attend a “normal” college, not one specifically…
A gene therapy may be able to help babies with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). AveXis has published the results of the first phase of a clinical trial for its drug AVXS-101 which aims to deliver a working copy of the SMN gene to the patient’s motor neuron cells,…
While there is currently no cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), there are ways to manage the disease to improve the quality of life for the patients. Here are some of the treatments available for SMA patients according to the UK National Health Service. 1. Exercise Exercise is extremely…
Babies who have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will have unique needs in order to make them more comfortable and help them enjoy their surroundings. We’ve put together a list of ways you can help your baby stay comfortable and be able to watch the world around them using information from…
Non-profit organizations for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and muscular dystrophy are reliant on help from people to raise both funds and awareness of the diseases. The money used goes towards research for better treatments, drugs, and understanding of the disease and to assist patients who have unique…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax89gbbC-4g This animated video by Osmosis illustrates the neurons involved in the genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and how they affect the muscles of patients. Read our 11 fast facts about spinal muscular atrophy. The video explains that there are four different types of SMA with…
There have been quite a few stories about the amazing effects of Spinraza (nusinersen) on young children and babies with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but this video shows how older children and adults can also benefit from the new drug. MORE: Right-to-try law helps babies with SMA gain access…
The sportscar company Ferrari recently made a dream come true for a 16-year-old from Utah who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Working in partnership with Make-a-Wish Utah, the Italian company whisked Austin Adamson and his family off to their manufacturing plant in Maranello, Italy. MORE: Boy with SMA becomes Carolina…
Many children with type 1 and type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) suffer from breathing difficulties. This is due to the weakened muscles in the rib cage and diaphragm. The muscles in the rib cage, in particular, are inefficient in many SMA type 1 and type 2 patients. MORE: Breathing…
