What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 62 patients with spinal muscular atrophy. The study was sponsored by Hoffmann-La Roche and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Seven of 17 infants on the higher dose learned to sit without support, a milestone they would not have reached otherwise.
The New England journal of medicine · 2021 · NCT02913482
These findings — that babies on the higher dose reached a milestone they typically never achieve — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 62 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with spinal muscular atrophy, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Risdiplam is now FDA-approved for spinal muscular atrophy in children and adults. This medicine is taken by mouth at home. If your child has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, ask your doctor whether risdiplam or other approved treatments are right for them.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open spinal muscular atrophy trials
Toward Ubiquitous Lower Limb Exoskeleton Use in Children and Young Adults
People with cerebral palsy (CP), muscular dystrophy (MD), spina bifida, or spinal cord injury often have muscle weakness, and problems moving their arms and legs. The NIH designed a new brace device, called an exoskeleton, that is worn on the legs and helps people walk. This study is investigating new ways the exoskeleton can be used in multiple settings while performing different walking or movement tasks, which we call ubiquitous use. For example, we will ask you to walk on a treadmill at different speeds, walk up and down a ramp, or walk through an obstacle course. Optionally, the exoskeletons may also use functional electrical stimulation (FES), a system that sends electrical pulses to the muscle to help it move the limb.
Neonatal Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Screening
Parents or legal guardian of neonates who signed agreement will receive SMA screening test if their neonates are affected with SMA. The dried blood spots of routine newborn screening samples will be used to test if neonates have lost 2 copies of SMN1 gene. If neonates have positive SMA screening test, further confirmation with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) test and prospective motor function monitoring including physical and neurological examinations will be proved to make SMA confirmation. For any confirmed SMA patient, genetic counseling and standard of care will be proved.