About SMA Research

The Jennifer Trust aims to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. The hope for tomorrow is generated through our research programme. In recent years our research funding has grown considerably, and this year we will spend over £180,000 spread over four different projects. That represents over 20% of our budget for the year.

We fund research work into the genetics of Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the hope that better knowledge will provide improved treatment of the condition. This work has already resulted in pre-natal testing for the genes responsible for causing SMA and is helping towards increasing our understanding of why the effects of the condition can vary so widely.

The Jennifer Trust also provides funds for research into the most suitable medical and therapeutic treatment for people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Successful applications to the Trust include a project to analyse the effects of seating posture on spinal deformation, and a project to ascertain the benefits from various respiratory equipment for people with SMA. We are currently funding a project designed to produce a single muscle function test that can be universally applied to validate the results of future drug trials.

We organise conferences to disseminate and share information and to provide a forum for discussion. The benefits of research are greatly improved by getting the professionals working in the SMA field together to discuss their findings and their experiences.

International Research

All SMA-related Research is undertaken as a global activity. Our active membership of the international SMA community ensures that vital research efforts are not wasted or duplicated around the world.

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