Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41350238›Full record

SynthesisAnnals of clinical and translational neurology2026

Effectiveness and Safety of Nusinersen and Risdiplam in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Review.

Amin Mehrabian, Peter Auguste, Amy Grove, Anna Brown, Janette Parr, Mubarak Patel, Furqan Butt, Jeremiah Donoghue, Mehdi Yousefi, Jo Parsons

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Amin MehrabianCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Peter AugusteCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Amy GroveCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Anna BrownCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4541-6232
Janette ParrCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Mubarak PatelCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Furqan ButtCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Jeremiah DonoghueCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Mehdi YousefiCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Jo ParsonsCentre for Evidence and Implementation Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6542-8492

Funding

Evidence Synthesis Programme NIHR131964
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveSpinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disorder marked by progressive muscle weakness and mobility loss. It has a profound physical, emotional and social impact on patients and caregivers, requiring comprehensive medical and supportive care. SMA is classified into Types 1-4, with some individuals identified presymptomatically. This systematic review examined the safety and effectiveness of nusinersen and risdiplam for treating SMA.

methodsWe searched research databases, relevant websites and existing systematic reviews. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two authors, with discrepancies resolved by a third. Internal quality appraisal ensured methodological rigour. A total of 131 studies reported in 148 sources were included. The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024512226).

resultsBoth treatments showed improvements in motor function and milestones, with high survival rates across most SMA types. Motor function improvements were consistent, but other outcomes-such as bulbar and respiratory function, and ventilation needs-were variable. Adverse events were common across all treatments and SMA types, with some serious cases reported, including deaths in Types 1 and 2.

interpretationThis comprehensive review highlights the clinical effectiveness and safety of nusinersen and risdiplam across all SMA types. However, variability in outcomes and limited comparative data introduce uncertainty. The findings underscore the need for more high-quality randomised controlled trials to strengthen the evidence base for SMA treatment.

Indexed as

Muscular Atrophy, SpinalOligonucleotidesPyrimidinesAzo CompoundsHumansAzo CompoundsnusinersenOligonucleotidesPyrimidinesRisdiplameffectivenessnusinersenrisdiplamsafetySMAspinal muscular atrophy

Identifiers

PMID41350238
PMCPMC12883690

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.