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 (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]

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.

Jul 30, 2024 · 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 speaking, walking, swallowing, and ...

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.

Feb 24, 2000 · Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy resulting from progressive degeneration and irreversible loss of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord (i.e., lower motor neurons) and the brain stem nuclei.

SMA involves the loss of nerve cells called motor neurons in the spinal cord and is classified as a motor neuron disease. In the most common form of SMA (chromosome 5 SMA, or SMN-related SMA), there is wide variability in age of onset, symptoms, and rate of progression.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in muscle wasting and weakness. Untreated, it is a neurodegenerative, progressive disease, which can be fatal in its more severe forms.

Find out about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) including the symptoms, types, causes, how it's diagnosed and the treatment and support available.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a disease that affects nerves in the spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. The muscles of the body cannot respond to signals from the nerves and begin to weaken and shrink (atrophy).