Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic condition that causes worsening muscle weakness. There are five subtypes, which range in severity and age of onset. There’s no cure for SMA, but certain therapies and medications can help manage symptoms.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare, neuromuscular condition. It causes progressive muscle wasting (atrophy) and weakness. It may affect crawling and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing. ... As a result, the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord deteriorate. This means that signals are not effectively ...

Jul 30, 2024 · What is spinal muscular atrophy? Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) refers to a group of hereditary diseases which affect motor neurons. Motor neurons are specialized nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control movement in the arms, legs, face, chest, throat, and tongue, as well as skeletal muscle activity, including muscles used for ...

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disorder affecting the motor neurons—nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. These cells are located in the spinal cord. Because the muscles cannot respond to signals from the nerves, they atrophy — weaken and shrink — from inactivity.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare neuromuscular disorder that results in the loss of motor neurons and progressive muscle wasting. [3] [4] [5] It is usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood and if left untreated it is the most common genetic cause of infant death. [6]

Sep 20, 2023 · Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness, making it difficult to stand, walk, move the arms and head, and even breathe or swallow. The symptoms are caused by a loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain stem. It is a progressive motor neuron disease.

What causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)? SMA is characterized by the loss of motor neurons, nerve cells in the spinal cord. It is classified as a motor neuron disease.

Jan 8, 2024 · Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. Depending on the genes involved, people can develop different types of SMA,...

Apr 8, 2023 · Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) most often affects babies and children and makes it hard for them to use their muscles. When your child has SMA, there's a breakdown of the nerve cells in the...

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare hereditary genetic condition in which muscles throughout the body are weakened because nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem do not work properly. SMA is the number one genetic cause of infant mortality.