Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an inherited genetic disorder that causes progressive muscular weakening. According to the onset of the disease it is categorized into four types.
Type 1 generally occurs before in babies younger than 6 months. Unfortunately this also the most severe type of the disease.
Type 2 describes children who are never able to stand or walk, but are able to maintain a sitting position for a short period of their life.
Type 3 occurs anytime after 18 months of age and the person affected is able to walk for some time, although the ability may be lost later.
Type 4 occurs in adult age and its progress is the slowest.
At the moment the treatment for the disease is only symptomatic, but a number of drug candidates is in pre-clinical or early clinical trials.
Type 1 generally occurs before in babies younger than 6 months. Unfortunately this also the most severe type of the disease.
Type 2 describes children who are never able to stand or walk, but are able to maintain a sitting position for a short period of their life.
Type 3 occurs anytime after 18 months of age and the person affected is able to walk for some time, although the ability may be lost later.
Type 4 occurs in adult age and its progress is the slowest.
At the moment the treatment for the disease is only symptomatic, but a number of drug candidates is in pre-clinical or early clinical trials.