Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Motor Neuron Disease)
Spinal muscular atrophy is an abiotrophic disease of somatic motor neurons in the ventral gray column of the spinal cord and brainstem nuclei.
Age of Onset: 3 phenotypes
Severe form: onset 6-8 weeks
Intermediate form: 6-12 months
Chronic: 2+ years
Severe form: onset 6-8 weeks
Intermediate form: 6-12 months
Chronic: 2+ years
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Severe form: clinical signs progress rapidly, by 3-4 months clinical signs progress to tetraplegia and muscle atrophy
Intermediate form: clinical signs progress more slowly, resulting in tetraplegia and inability to walk by 2-3 years of age
Chronic: clinical signs develop slowly and are milder compared to the other forms if the disease (subtle paresis and mild atrophy)
Severe form: clinical signs progress rapidly, by 3-4 months clinical signs progress to tetraplegia and muscle atrophy
Intermediate form: clinical signs progress more slowly, resulting in tetraplegia and inability to walk by 2-3 years of age
Chronic: clinical signs develop slowly and are milder compared to the other forms if the disease (subtle paresis and mild atrophy)
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Limb deformities (arthrogryposis)
Movement
Tetraparesis to tetraplegia
Cranial Nerves
Difficulty with prehension
Dysphagia
Muscle Atrophy
Diffuse neurogenic atrophy (severe/intermediate > chronic forms)
Posture and Appearance
Limb deformities (arthrogryposis)
Movement
Tetraparesis to tetraplegia
Cranial Nerves
Difficulty with prehension
Dysphagia
Muscle Atrophy
Diffuse neurogenic atrophy (severe/intermediate > chronic forms)
Diffuse neuromuscular
Unknown
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