Author Archives: Somi Igbene

SMN-deficient Brain Immune Cells Found Prone to Promote Inflammation

Loss of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein changes the function of a type of brain immune cell called microglia, making them more prone to promote inflammation and disease progression in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a new study reveals. The study, “Survival motor neuron protein deficiency…

Alabama Joins 42 US States in Screening Newborns for SMA

  The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has announced that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is now among the list of disorders being routinely screened in newborns. Testing infants for the disorder began on Feb. 14, the ADPH stated in a press release.   SMA was added to the state’s newborn…