Monitoring Nusinersen Treatment Effects in Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Quantitative Muscle MRI

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by deficiency of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Intrathecal nusinersen treatment increases SMN protein in motor neurons and has been shown to improve motor function in symptomatic children with SMA. Objective: We used quantitative MRI to gain insight in microstructure and fat content of muscle during treatment and to explore its use as biomarker for treatment effect. Methods: We used a quantitative MRI protocol before start of treatment and following the 4th and 6th injection of nusinersen in 8 children with SMA type 2 and 3 during the first year of treatment. The MR protocol allowed DIXON, T2 mapping and diffusion tensor imaging acquisitions. We also assessed muscle strength and motor function scores. Results: Fat fraction of all thigh muscles with the exception of the m. adductor longus increased in all patients during treatment (+3.2%, p = 0.02). WaterT2 showed no significant changes over time (–0.7 ms, p = 0.3). DTI parameters MD and AD demonstrate a significant decrease in the hamstrings towards values observed in healthy muscle. Conclusions: Thigh muscles of children with SMA treated with nusinersen showed ongoing fatty infiltration and possible normalization of thigh muscle microstructure during the first year of nusinersen treatment. Quantitative muscle MRI shows potential as biomarker for the effects of SMA treatment strategies.