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

> Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to motor neuron degeneration, progressive muscle weakness, and atrophy.

## Details
- [What is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)?](#): SMA affects the nervous system controlling voluntary muscle movement, causing motor neuron loss and progressive muscle weakness.
- [Understanding the cause of spinal muscular atrophy](#): SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, reducing SMN protein production and leading to motor neuron degeneration.
- [Types of SMA](#): SMA is categorized based on age of onset and functional ability, with varying severity within each type.
- [Diagnosis and Testing](#): Methods for diagnosing SMA and genetic testing to confirm the condition.
- [SMA in Infants & Children](#): Overview of how SMA manifests and progresses in younger patients.
- [SMA in Adults](#): Information on the impact and progression of SMA in adult patients.