Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
January 10, 2026BrainOpen Access

Treatment evolution in spinal muscular atrophy: insights from the SMArtCARE registry

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Key result

Initial SMA disease-modifying treatments retain ~64% of patients, with switches driven by new drug approvals.

Why the study?

Real-world treatments for 5q-spinal muscular atrophy have evolved rapidly following the sequential approval of three disease-modifying therapies, prompting the need to accurately map treatment sequence and timing.

What are the real-world treatment patterns and factors influencing treatment switches in patients with spinal muscular atrophy?

Population

2,140 patients with SMA across 84 centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Comparison

Patients remaining on first DMT vs those who switched DMT

Design

Multicenter registry study

Authors

CVCornelia Voigt-MüllerMPMichelle PfaffenlehnerGBGünther Bernert

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

In a large real-world registry of SMA patients, most remained on their initial disease-modifying therapy, with treatment switches primarily driven by new drug approvals rather than changes in motor function.

Key Points

  • The aim was to map the sequence and timing of treatments for SMA using the SMArtCARE registry.
  • Analysis of data from SMArtCARE, a registry for SMA patients across 84 centers.
  • Grouping patients based on treatment regimens and switches between disease-modifying treatments.
  • Evaluation of clinical and genetic factors influencing treatment decisions.
  • Inclusion of all registered patients in the dataset.
  • 2,140 patients were analyzed, with nusinersen initiating in 60.5% and risdiplam in 24%.
  • 63.8% of patients remained on their first disease-modifying treatment.
  • Switching treatments occurred primarily after new DMT approvals.
  • No significant change in motor milestones was noted for most patients who switched treatments.

Structured PICO

What are the real-world treatment patterns and factors influencing treatment switches in patients with spinal muscular atrophy?

P
Population
2,140 patients with 5q-spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) registered in the SMArtCARE registry across 84 centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
I
Intervention
Disease-modifying treatments (DMT) for SMA: nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA), and risdiplam.
C
Comparator
Remaining on the first DMT versus switching to another DMT.
O
Outcome
Sequence and timing of SMA treatments, and the impact of clinical and genetic factors on treatment decisions.

In a large real-world registry of SMA patients, most remained on their initial disease-modifying therapy, with treatment switches primarily driven by new drug approvals rather than changes in motor function.

Cite This Study

Voigt-Müller et al. (2025) studied this question. In a cohort of 2,140 SMA patients, 63.8% stayed on the first disease-modifying treatment, with most switches occurring after new treatment approvals.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6963223891e05aa366cb8d60https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf472
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Use of European registries to characterise the changing landscape of disease progression and treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): opportunities, pitfalls and challenges2026
  2. 2Real-World Treatment Patterns in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Receiving Multiple Disease-Modifying Therapies2026
  3. 3Evaluating Therapeutic Outcomes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: An Indian Experience2025
  4. 4Five-year disease-modifying therapeutic experience of 102 Chinese pediatric 5q-spinal muscular atrophy: a retrospective analysis2025
  5. 5Five-year disease-modifying therapeutic experience of 102 Chinese pediatric 5q-spinal muscular atrophy: a retrospective analysis2025