SMA in Focus: Practical Insights from MDA 2026 Key data updates, therapeutic strategies, and evolving standards of care in spinal muscular atrophy

Early Screening and Treatment Effects on Motor Function in SMA CheckRare conducted a joint interview with two key opinion leaders in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Kristin J. Krosschell, DPT, MA, Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Pediatrics and Nancy L. Kuntz, MD, Child Neurologist and Professor, Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy), both at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago & Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kuntz is also Medical Director of the Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Disorders Program, the PPMD Duchenne Care Center and the MDA Care Center at the Children’s Hospital. In this interview, Drs. Krosschell and Kuntz describe how disease-modifying therapies have changed the landscape of SMA management, discuss their study on the impact of newborn screening and early treatment, and reflect on some of the challenges facing SMA patient care today. https://checkrare.com/sma-in-focus-practical-insights-from-mda-2026/