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

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

## Details
- [What is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)?](#): SMA affects the nervous system controlling voluntary muscle movement, leading to the loss of motor neurons and progressive muscle weakness.
- [Understanding the cause of spinal muscular atrophy](#): SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which reduce the production of SMN protein, essential for motor neuron health.
- [Types of SMA](#): SMA is categorized by age of onset and functional ability, with varying severity within each type.
- [Diagnosis and Testing](#): Information on how SMA is diagnosed and tested through genetic analysis and clinical evaluations.
- [SMA in Infants & Children](#): Overview of how SMA manifests in younger populations, including its impact on muscle strength and development.
- [SMA in Adults](#): Insights into how SMA affects adults, including progression and management strategies.