Genetics of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
A genetic mutation on chromosome five is the most common cause of spinal muscular atrophy. The SMN 1 and 2 genes are necessary for the creation of survival motor neuron protein. They exist on chromosome five. A mutation in the SMN 1 gene would trigger spinal muscular atrophy, while variations in the SMN 2 gene would decide which form you might develop. In most cases, the SMN1 mutation is mostly a depletion. The condition can be inherited and pass from parents to children. [2]
