An international study has discovered that people living with the neurodegenerative condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease , suggesting that SMA patients may face additional health problems over time. This finding raises significant concerns about long-term care and health outcomes for individuals with SMA. SMA is a rare genetic condition that prevents the body from producing Survival Motor Neuron (SMN), a protein essential for nerves that control movement.
The damaged motor neurons are unable to send messages to the muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness. While recent advances in treatment have improved survival rates, particularly for babies with severe SMA, this new research indicates that the impact of SMA extends beyond the nervous system, potentially affecting other organs such as the liver. Fatty liver disease, usually linked to heart conditions, diabetes, and obesity, is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation and damage.
The presence of fatty liver disease in mild and severe forms of SMA is particularly concerning, as it can have serious long-term consequences for the health of SMA patients in childhood and adulthood. The multi-center study, published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation (May 2024), involved clinicians and researchers from leading institutions across Singapore, the United States, and Scotland, including the Agency for Science, Technology and.
