Promising new drug could help treat spinal muscular atrophy

Approximately one out of every 40 individuals in the United States is a carrier of the gene responsible for spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative disease that causes muscles to weaken. Researchers have developed a new molecule in April 2014 that was found to be highly effective in animal models. Now, testing of that compound is leading to a better prognosis for mice with the disease and the possibility of potential drugs.