Postural and locomotor deficits in spinal muscular atrophy

Motor impairments in neurodegenerative disease are linked to dysregulation in dopamine and noradrenalinbut mechanisms are not well understood.

The researchers uncover the progressive catecholaminergic synaptic loss from vulnerable spinal neurons in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy.

In addition, they show that dopaminergic dysregulation is involved in locomotor deficits, whereas monoaminergic synapses cause impairments in posture.

Importantly, they identify L-dopa as a possible therapeutic treatment.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(24)01498-0

https://sciencemission.com/Catecholaminergic-dysfunction-in-SMA