Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a term applied to a number of different disorders, all having in common a genetic cause and the manifestation of weakness due to loss of the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem. (sciencedaily.com)
SMA is characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons, muscle weakness and atrophy. (smafoundation.org)
In a report on the work, published in Neuron on Dec. 23, the researchers say the combination therapy improved survival time, body weight and motor movements in mice with spinal muscular atrophy, a relatively rare inherited disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons, or nerve cells that control movement. (sciencedaily.com)