Spinal Muscular Atrophy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Neuromuscular

A neuromuscular disease is one in which the motor neurons and muscles are affected by being destroyed. It involves the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and parts of the central nervous system (CNS).

Answer: Before six months

SMA is the biggest cause of infant death, and type I is the most serious. It is progressive and affects the muscles that are used for walking, as well as for breathing, along with many other things.

Answer: A gene mutation

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is caused by a mutation in the SMN1 (spinal motor neuron gene 1). It is an encoding of the SMN protein and is part of chromosome 5q13. It was believed that both parents had to be carriers in order for the child to have SMA, but newer research shows it may be possible for a child to get it when only one parent carries it.

Answer: Genetic testing

Genetic testing through a blood test enables 95% of all people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy to be diagnosed. The other five percent have an even rarer form, and it requires more testing to be done. Also, if both parents are carriers, the child has a higher chance of SMA.

Answer: False

Spinal Muscular Atrophy can affect anyone. Also, while it is usually diagnosed in infants, it can appear later, in which case the symptoms are milder. Usually, the first three things affected are muscles in the arms, the legs, and the respiratory muscles.

Answer: Wasting away

Because people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy cannot use certain muscles, they become smaller. Once this happens, the damage cannot be reversed.

Answer: True

Spinraza was the first FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved drug for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is injected directly into the spine and has to be given often. However, while it is not a cure for SMA, it does help slow down the progression of the disease a bit.

Answer: Yes

SMA doesn't affect cognitive or emotional abilities. Also, children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy do not have behavior issues related to the SMA. Many people with SMA have reported being very happy with their lives despite the SMA.

Answer: August

CureSMA has marked August as Spinal Muscular Atrophy awareness month. While walk and roll events are often held in other months as well, it is August when they specifically aim to make people aware of this disease. There are also ways to donate to help research to find a cure. Their motto is "Make today a breakthrough."

Answer: cream

Cream (or beige) colored ribbons are often used for any disease/disorder in which the nervous system is affected. The pin for SMA also contains a rose. The cream color represents the children's innocence, and the rose represents their courage in living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.