[Spinal Muscular Atrophy Forum; Biogen SMA Symposium] [Academic Exchange] [Image-Guided Interventional Therapy]

Author: Bow Wang, M.D.

Thank you to Biogen for the invitation to participate in the [Spinal Muscular Atrophy Forum; Biogen SMA] At the Symposium, a presentation was given on "The Exploration of IT Approaches for SMA Patients with Complex Spine," highlighting the interdisciplinary integrated care provided by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and two successful cases from NCKU involving CT-guided and US plus Fluoro-guided treatments, respectively using computed tomography (CT).

Bow Wang, M.D. also listened attentively to the presentations of several experts and expressed great satisfaction that patients with SMA who received intramedullary injections of Nusinersen combined with rehabilitation physical therapy had the potential to maintain their condition and even experience further improvement.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disease. Its main characteristic is the degeneration of motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA affects basic functions such as walking, crawling, and even breathing and swallowing.

SMA is mostly related to the deletion or mutation of the SMN1 gene, which is responsible for producing the SMN protein, a protein essential for survival motor neurons. A lack of this protein leads to the gradual damage of motor neurons, preventing them from transmitting signals to the muscles.

In the past, SMA was considered an incurable disease. However, in recent years, various new drugs and treatments have emerged, such as: 1. Intramedullary injections, 2. Gene therapy, and 3. Oral medications. Combined with rehabilitation therapy and respiratory care, patients' quality of life has significantly improved. The interdisciplinary integrated care team led by Dr. Wu Bo-ming in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, [National Cheng Kung University Hospital], has brought better treatment and care to SMA patients.