Natural history of denervation in SMA: Relation to age, SMN2 copy number, and function
Author(s) -
Swoboda Kathryn J.,
Prior Thomas W.,
Scott Charles B.,
McNaught Teresa P.,
Wride Mark C.,
Reyna Sandra P.,
Bromberg Mark B.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.20473
Subject(s) - sma* , denervation , spinal muscular atrophy , medicine , compound muscle action potential , prospective cohort study , cardiology , psychology , disease , electrophysiology , mathematics , combinatorics
Abstract Denervation was assessed in 89 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 1, 2, and 3 subjects via motor unit number estimation (MUNE) and maximum compound motor action potential amplitude (CMAP) studies, and results correlated with SMN2 copy, age, and function. MUNE and maximum CMAP values were distinct among SMA subtypes ( p < 0.05). Changes in MUNE and maximum CMAP values over time were dependent on age, SMA type, and SMN2 copy number. SMN2 copy number less than 3 correlated with lower MUNE and maximum CMAP values ( p < 0.0001) and worse functional outcomes. As SMN2 copy number increases, so does functional status ( p < 0.0001). Change in MUNE longitudinally over the time intervals examined in this study was not statistically significant for any SMA cohort. However, a decline in maximum CMAP over time was apparent in SMA2 subjects ( p = 0.049). Age‐dependent decline in MUNE and maximum CMAP was apparent in both SMA 1 ( p < 0.0001) and SMA 2 ( p < 0.0001) subjects, with age as an independent factor regardless of type. Maximum CMAP at the time of the initial assessment was most predictive of functional outcome ( p < 0.0001). Prospective longitudinal studies in four prenatally diagnosed infants demonstrated significant progressive denervation in association with symptomatic onset or functional decline. These data highlight the potential value of such measures in increasing our understanding of pathophysiological factors involved in denervation in SMA. Ann Neurol 2005;57:704–712