Mechanisms and Treatment of Exercise Intolerance and Persistent Fatigue in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
This study will focus on the pathophysiological underpinnings of reduced exercise capacity and fatigue in ambulatory patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). There has been laboratory evidence to suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial biogenesis may be vulnerable to survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency. This is an observational, single visit study including 34 ambulatory SMA patients treated with SMN repletion therapies (risdiplam or nusinersen) for at least 6 months at enrollment.
• Genetic confirmation of SMA with laboratory documentation of homozygous deletion of survival motor neuron (SMN1) exon 7;
• At least 8 years of age at time of signing Informed Consent Form (or assent)
• Children or adults currently receiving treatment, for at least 6 months, with SMN repletion therapy, either with
• (1) risdiplam, or (2) nusinersen
• Able to walk independently at least 25 meters
• Able to tread a stationary cycle ergometer.