Tina Duong, PhD, MPT

Panelists discuss how the needs of older patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) differ from infants, focusing on independence, education, career goals, fatigue management, and quality of life rather than just motor milestones.

Panelists discuss how spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) progresses over time, affecting motor function differently in older patients vs infants, with experts noting the shift from traditional classification (types 1 to 4) to functional categories (nonsitters, sitters, walkers).

The classification of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) subtypes, the influence of SMN2 gene copies on disease severity, treatment effects on disease progression, age-related differences, long-term management strategies, and adequate muscle function monitoring are all important aspects of SMA care.

The evolution of functional assessments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) highlights the challenges of adapting pediatric scales for adults and the need for modified evaluations to accurately measure patient function across different age groups.