Author Archives: Lindsey Shapiro PhD

New patient-derived cell models may advance SMA, SMARD1 study

Researchers have developed new patient-derived cell models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) caused by SMN1 mutations as well as the more rare spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1). The cells exhibited structural abnormalities consistent with SMA which could be rescued with gene therapies. Scientists believe the…

Muscle ultrasound may help to monitor SMA progression: Study

Muscle abnormalities observed with ultrasound imaging correlated with motor function in people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in a recent study. While the findings varied somewhat by muscle group and SMA type, ultrasound data generally indicated SMA patients exhibited muscle atrophy and signs of fat and connective tissue…

Study finds few cognitive changes after Spinraza treatment

More than a year of treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen) did not result in clinically meaningful changes in cognition for adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), according to a recent study. While patients did not exhibit widespread cognitive deficits, abnormal performance in certain domains was observed. Scores across…