Question: Is spinal muscular atrophy inherited ?
Answer: Types I, II, III, and IV spinal muscular atrophy are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the SMN1 gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition. Extra copies of the SMN2 gene are due to a random error when making new copies of DNA (replication) in an egg or sperm cell or just after fertilization. SMA-LED and the late-onset form of spinal muscular atrophy caused by VAPB gene mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. X-linked spinal muscular atrophy is inherited in an X-linked pattern. The UBA1 gene is located on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes. In males (who have only one X chromosome), one altered copy of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. In females (who have two X chromosomes), a mutation would have to occur in both copies of the gene to cause the disorder. Because it is unlikely that females will have two altered copies of this gene, males are affected by X-linked disorders much more frequently than females. A characteristic of X-linked inheritance is that fathers cannot pass X-linked traits to their sons.
Source: GHR

Question: What are the treatments for spinal muscular atrophy ?
Answer: These resources address the diagnosis or management of spinal muscular atrophy: - Gene Review: Gene Review: Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Gene Review: Gene Review: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, X-Linked Infantile - Genetic Testing Registry: Adult proximal spinal muscular atrophy, autosomal dominant - Genetic Testing Registry: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, distal, X-linked - Genetic Testing Registry: Kugelberg-Welander disease - Genetic Testing Registry: Spinal muscular atrophy type 4 - Genetic Testing Registry: Spinal muscular atrophy, lower extremity predominant 1, autosomal dominant - Genetic Testing Registry: Spinal muscular atrophy, type II - Genetic Testing Registry: Werdnig-Hoffmann disease - Genomics Education Programme (UK) - MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Spinal Muscular Atrophy These resources from MedlinePlus offer information about the diagnosis and management of various health conditions: - Diagnostic Tests - Drug Therapy - Surgery and Rehabilitation - Genetic Counseling - Palliative Care
Source: GHR