1st International Clinical Care Symposium on SMA

The Symposium will focus on the medical and supportive care needs faced by people living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and their caregivers, which often extend beyond the scope of clinical treatments and require a multidisciplinary approach. Although standard-of-care guidelines for SMA provide essential frameworks for treatment and management, many needs remain unaddressed. 

The first edition, titled “Medical Emergencies in SMA: pathophysiology, prevention, and response”, will focus on the biological causes of symptoms that may lead to life-threatening emergencies in individuals living with SMA, as well as strategies for their prevention and management. 

Main sessions will cover metabolic disorders, respiratory insufficiency, bulbar issues, experiences from different countries in managing emergencies, as well as a practical workshop, showcasing the handling of real-world case examples. A poster session will cover broader topics related to emergencies and care in SMA, including fundamental research across different domains, clinical presentations of acute episodes, and practical approaches to prevention or management.

Audience

The Symposium will bring together an international group of SMA-expert researchers and multidisciplinary clinical professionals (including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, speech specialists), along with patient advocates and industry representatives.

Accreditation

The event will be accredited for continuing medical education for healthcare professionals and will also provide an excellent opportunity for early-stage researchers and clinicians to network and share their work.