Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Genetic Testing, Therapy, and More

Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Genetic Testing, Therapy, and More

From Amplifying the Patient Journey by Practical Neurology

January 30, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Andrew Cherico shares his experience with spinal muscular atrophy and discusses treatment options with Dr. John W. Day.

Andrew Cherico, a student at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, discusses his experience living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the impacts of available treatments, and how the condition intersects with his passion for sports journalism. He is joined by John W. Day, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Director, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Co-Director of Stanford’s Neuro IGNITE Center, Stanford, CA, who describes the importance of genetic testing, the landscape of available SMA treatments, and the significance of the newly approved one-time gene therapy Itvisma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-brve; Novartis, East Hanover, NJ).

People in this episode

Guests: Andrew Cherico, John W. Day, MD, PhD

Topics covered

  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Genetic Testing
  • Therapies
  • Sports Journalism
  • Patient Experience

Keywords

  • spinal muscular atrophy
  • genetic testing
  • Itvisma
  • sports journalism
  • neuromuscular medicine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Central Florida, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford’s Neuro IGNITE Center, Novartis

Products: Itvisma

Places: Orlando, FL, Stanford, CA

More episodes of Amplifying the Patient Journey

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Amplifying the Patient Journey podcast page.