Dutch researchers have tested magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of muscles as a possible tool for measuring the effectiveness of treatment of SMA with nusinersen (Spinraza) :
- eight treated children aged 9 years on average took part in the study,
- four with type 2 SMA and four with type 3 SMA,
- three complementary MRI techniques were used (Dixon, T2 mapping and diffusion tensor imaging) on images acquired during one year of observation,
- over this period, the microstructure of the muscle appears to have improved, at least in the thighs, but the authors note that the progression of fat mass persists in the other muscles.
Although this is a study on a small group of treated patients, this approach is promising.
