# What causes spinal muscular atrophy?
Keywords: spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, survival motor neuron, SMN1 gene, motor neurons, muscle atrophy

> Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy due to the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord.

## Details
- [What is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)?](#): SMA affects the nervous system's control of voluntary muscle movement, causing progressive muscle weakness and atrophy due to the loss of motor neurons.
- [Understanding the cause of spinal muscular atrophy](#): SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to reduced production of SMN protein and the degeneration of motor neurons.
- [Types of SMA](#): SMA is categorized by age of onset and functional ability, with varying severity within each type.
- [Diagnosis and Testing](#): Discusses methods for diagnosing SMA and testing for genetic mutations.
- [SMA in Infants & Children](#): Explores symptoms and progression of SMA in younger age groups.
- [SMA in Adults](#): Covers the impact and management of SMA in adult patients.