Spinal muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a group of genetic diseases that cause muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) due to the loss of specialized nerve cells called motor neurons. These motor neurons, located in the spinal cord and brainstem, are crucial for controlling voluntary muscle movements like walking, breathing, and swallowing. SMA is primarily caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which lead to a deficiency in the SMN protein, essential for motor neuron survival and function. Key aspects of

Some people may believe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disease that only occurs in infants and young kids. In fact, SMA can be diagnosed in teens, young adults and older adults. Watch to learn common misperceptions about SMA. #UnderstandingSMA | Biogen

Every month in the UK, four babies are born with spinal muscular atrophy - SMA - a rare but debilitating genetic condition. If left undiagnosed and untreated, many children with the most common form of SMA do not live beyond their second birthday. Despite this, the condition is not included in the newborn national screening programme - the heel prick test. Our health and social care editor Victoria Macdonald speaks to one family whose son wasn’t diagnosed until he was four months old. #SpinalMus