Types And Treatments For Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Type 4

Spinal muscular atrophy type 4 is also frequently called adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy because the symptoms first set in after adolescence. It is common for symptoms to develop or become noticeable when individuals are in their twenties or thirties. Individuals between thirty-five and forty years old are the most likely to receive a diagnosis. Some individuals with adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy begin showing symptoms in their late teens, after adolescence but before turning twenty years old.

The reason these patients do not experience symptoms as children is that they have either four or six SMN2 gene copies. This gene helps take over and compensate for the mutations that cause spinal muscular atrophy. Since these individuals have more genetic compensation for their condition, they do not feel the physical effects as strongly. The symptoms tend to start with mild hip and leg muscle weakness. Over time, this may move to the shoulders and arms. This progression tends to be standard among patients, but there is a huge range in the effects. Some patients will lose their ability to walk and need to be assisted by a wheelchair. Many individuals will be able to walk short distances but will sometimes need mobility aids.

Continue reading to reveal treatments for spinal muscular atrophy now.