Author Archives: Steve Bryson PhD

In a real-world study involving more than 40 Swiss patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Spinraza (nusinersen) was found to effectively improve motor function — particularly among younger children with SMA type 1. Older treated patients gained or stabilized their motor function, but infections prompted the need for ventilation and…

The same mutation caused spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures-2 (SMABF2) in two unrelated infants of Roma descent, a case study reported. The researchers suggest genetic screening of those at risk within the Roma population. The case study, “Spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures…

Children, teenagers, and adults with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), previously treated with Evrysdi (risdiplam), can now enroll in a new Phase 3b clinical trial to determine the efficacy of a higher dose of Spinraza (nusinersen). Biogen, the company that markets Spinraza, announced the enrollment of…

Men with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) were found to have abnormally small nerves in the limbs, especially the arms, as measured by ultrasound, a study showed. These findings support the use of ultrasound as an additional tool to identify SBMA and improve selection for genetic testing, the…

Roche Canada has completed its negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) regarding the availability and pricing of Evrysdi (risdiplam), an approved once-a-day oral therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The pCPA is a nationwide organization in Canada that collaborates on various public drug plan initiatives to manage…

The U.K. has expanded the referral criteria for the approved gene therapy Zolgensma to include children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who weigh up to 18 kilograms (40 lbs), according to a press release from SMA UK. The expansion to a higher weight category — 15 to…

Caregivers of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) said they need information about institutions that may benefit their child in the future, a questionnaire-based study suggested. Although caregivers’ burden was not directly related to income or disease type, increased burden was disease-related, the scientists said. The study, “…

An adolescent male with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) receiving tube feeding and antibiotics developed a problem with blood clotting due to a deficiency in vitamin K, a case study reported. “This case highlights that nutritional vitamin K deficiency should be considered in complex chronic pediatric patients whose nutritional needs…

Motor neurons derived from people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) showed changes in protein production at each stage of their development, from stem cells to fully mature nerve cells, a study discovered. Findings in this reported first-such study can be used to identify protein alterations that occur before the…

The muscle atrophy and weakness characteristic of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is aggravated by the loss of fast-contracting white muscle fibers in patients with later-onset disease, an MRI study showed, reportedly for the first time. Production of the energy molecule ATP was also found to be impaired in white…