Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disease caused by an inheritable defect in the gene SMN1 that is incurable and progressive.

By targeting the ROCK pathway in spinal cord and muscles, Fasudil bypasses the genetic defect SMN1. Dr Kothary, who led the team, explained, "Fasudil increased the lifespan of SMA mice from 30 to 300 days, allowing them to survive well into adulthood. Although it had no apparent effect on the damaged neurons themselves, Fasudil increased muscle size and the endplate junction between muscles and their motor neurons. Consequently, the mice were also better coordinated, better groomed, and could move about more freely than untreated SMA mice."
Melissa Bowerman from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute continued, "Finding a cure for SMA is still a long way off, however we hope that treatment with drugs like Fasudil, which goes some way towards restoring normal developmental, or HDAC inhibitors, which alter how genes are regulated, along with nutrition and physiotherapy will provide a package of therapy to improve the quality and length of life of SMA children."
Source-Eurekalert