Spinal muscular atrophy
MONDO:0001516A motor neuron disease that affect the muscles, and 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. The severity of the condition; the associated signs and symptoms; and the age at which symptoms develop varies by subtype. In general, people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) experience progressive weakness and atrophy of muscles involved in mobility, the ability to sit unassisted, and head control. Breathing and swallowing may also be affected in severe cases. SMA is generally caused by changes (mutations) in the SMN1 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Extra copies of the SMN2 gene modify the severity of SMA. Rare autosomal dominant (caused by mutations in DYNC1H1, BICD2, or VAPB genes) and X-linked (caused by mutations in UBA1) forms of SMA exist. Treatment is based on the signs and symptoms present in each person.
127 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types, 107 tagged with Spinal muscular atrophy itself.
Follow this condition to get notified about new trialsWhere it sits in the disease tree
Browse by category →Sub-types of Spinal muscular atrophy
-
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy 14 trials · 42 incl. sub-types
6 sub-types
- Spinal muscular atrophy, type 1 17 trials
- Spinal muscular atrophy, type II 14 trials
- Spinal muscular atrophy, type III 13 trials
- Spinal muscular atrophy, type IV 2 trials
- Autosomal dominant childhood-onset proximal spinal muscular atrophy 0 trials Sub-types →
- Lower motor neuron syndrome with late-adult onset 0 trials
-
Bulbospinal muscular atrophy 1 trial
3 sub-types
-
11 sub-types
- Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 2 0 trials Sub-types →
- Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 7 0 trials Sub-types →
- Hereditary spastic paraplegia 17 0 trials
- Myopathy, myofibrillar, 13, with rimmed vacuoles 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant 1 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant 10 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant 11 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant 15 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant 8 0 trials
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, type 5 0 trials Sub-types →
- Neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, type 9 0 trials
-
Spinal muscular atrophy type 0 0 trials
-
Spinal muscular atrophy, segmental 0 trials
Most studied deeper sub-types
-
Can gene therapy help babies with SMA reach milestones? a Real-World review
Disease control Not yet recruitingThis study looks back at medical records of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 who received a one-time gene therapy called onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma). Researchers want to see if treated infants can sit independently for 30 seconds or more within a year. …
Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Sep 02, 2026 00:00 UTC
-
Robot leg training tuned to each child may build stronger knees in SMA
Symptom relief Not yet recruitingResearchers are testing a portable knee-training robot in children aged 6 to 12 with spinal muscular atrophy. Each child trains one leg with a flexible, individually tuned stiffness setting and the other leg with a rigid setting for up to 8 weeks. The trial compares how much knee…
Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Sep 18, 2026 00:00 UTC
-
Can a support group boost confidence for parents of kids with DMD or SMA?
Symptom relief Not yet recruitingThis study tests whether a multicomponent support group can improve the confidence (self-efficacy) of primary caregivers of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy in Pakistan. Thirty caregivers will join group sessions with doctors, therapists, and o…
Sponsor: Aga Khan University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:12 UTC
-
Horse power: new therapy hopes to improve movement in SMA children
Symptom relief Not yet recruitingThis study tests whether a special type of horseback physiotherapy can improve movement, posture, breathing, and quality of life in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Twenty children aged 2 to 9 years will receive both the horse therapy and standard physiotherapy in ran…
Sponsor: Charles University, Czech Republic • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:10 UTC
-
Robot suit aims to get kids with disabilities walking
Symptom relief Not yet recruitingThis study tests a robotic exoskeleton called CLINICAL EXPLORER in 60 children aged 2 to 17 with neurodevelopmental disorders like cerebral palsy. The device supports walking during 8 therapy sessions. Researchers will check if it is safe, easy to use, and helps improve movement …
Sponsor: MarsiBionics • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:47 UTC
-
Can gene therapy zolgensma safely improve motor skills in SMA?
Knowledge-focused Not yet recruitingThis study follows 80 people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Japan who receive Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) as an intrathecal injection. The goal is to track safety issues, such as liver problems or blood clotting abnormalities, and to measure changes in motor funct…
Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 19, 2026 00:00 UTC
-
School transitions put to the test for children with a rare muscle disease
Knowledge-focused Not yet recruitingThis study uses questionnaires and focus groups to understand the challenges children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their families face when moving between schools or starting a new educational stage. Researchers aim to identify barriers to inclusion and support, and to …
Sponsor: Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District NHS Trust • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jul 24, 2026 00:00 UTC
-
New study explores how families cope with feeding and talking challenges in SMA type 1
Knowledge-focused Not yet recruitingThis study will interview 15 parents or guardians of children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 to learn about their daily challenges with feeding and communication. Even though newer treatments have improved survival, their impact on swallowing and speech is not well understoo…
Sponsor: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:00 UTC
-
Hidden fracture risk in kids with SMA under spotlight
Knowledge-focused Not yet recruitingThis study looks at bone health in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a condition that causes muscle weakness. Researchers want to find out how common fractures are and whether newer SMA treatments affect bone strength. They will review medical records from about 550 ch…
Sponsor: Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:24 UTC
-
New study probes emotional toll of SMA screening on new parents
Knowledge-focused Not yet recruitingThis study looks at how parents feel after their newborn is screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Researchers will interview 36 parents in two French regions to understand their anxiety, stress, and support needs. The goal is to improve how screening results are shared and …
Sponsor: University Hospital, Strasbourg, France • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:54 UTC