Spinal Muscular Atrophy
What is SMA?
SMA is a genetic motor neuron disease. Its the #1 genetic killer of infants and toddlers under the age of 2.
One in every 40 people are actually silent carriers for SMA! The motor neurons in the spinal cord die due to a
missing SMN1 gene that produces a needed protein. When the motor neurons are deprived of this protein they
die, and the bodys muscles then "waste away" as they weaken.
SMA affects muscles throughout the body, although the proximal muscles (those closest to the trunk of one’s
body - i.e. shoulders, hips, and back) are often most severely affected. Weakness in the legs is generally greater
than in the arms.
Feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles (muscles involved in breathing and
coughing) can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to
feel are not affected. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually
bright and sociable. Patients are generally grouped into one of four categories based on the milestones they do
or do not meet.
Depending on which type you are; head control, sitting, crawling, and walking may never be possible. There are
4 types. Type 1 being the most severe. Types are usually determined by the age of onset as well as the milestones
that are not met.
~There is currently no cure, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have selected SMA as the disease closest to treatment
of more than 600 neurological disorders.
~ Researchers estimate that we are as close as only a few years away from finding a treatment and/or cure.
HELP US STOP SMA!!!
SMA is a genetic motor neuron disease. Its the #1 genetic killer of infants and toddlers under the age of 2.
One in every 40 people are actually silent carriers for SMA! The motor neurons in the spinal cord die due to a
missing SMN1 gene that produces a needed protein. When the motor neurons are deprived of this protein they
die, and the bodys muscles then "waste away" as they weaken.
SMA affects muscles throughout the body, although the proximal muscles (those closest to the trunk of one’s
body - i.e. shoulders, hips, and back) are often most severely affected. Weakness in the legs is generally greater
than in the arms.
Feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles (muscles involved in breathing and
coughing) can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to
feel are not affected. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually
bright and sociable. Patients are generally grouped into one of four categories based on the milestones they do
or do not meet.
Depending on which type you are; head control, sitting, crawling, and walking may never be possible. There are
4 types. Type 1 being the most severe. Types are usually determined by the age of onset as well as the milestones
that are not met.
~There is currently no cure, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have selected SMA as the disease closest to treatment
of more than 600 neurological disorders.
~ Researchers estimate that we are as close as only a few years away from finding a treatment and/or cure.
HELP US STOP SMA!!!