The connection between heart and nerves in a rare disease

by Amy Hicks

The Cox Lab at the Jackson Laboratory is part of less than a handful of research groups worldwide working on a rare form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy called SMARD1. This video gives a basic introduction to this disease as well as an overview of the research goals of a postdoctoral researcher in the Cox Lab, Amy Hicks, who is studying the relationship between the heart and nerves in this devastating genetic disease.

Related Resources

• Learn more about SMARD from the NIH's Genetics Home Reference

• Find great resources and information about SMARD and other types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy from SMA News Today

Scientific References

• Identification of the Mouse Neuromuscular Degeneration Gene and Mapping of a Second Site Suppressor Allele. Cox et al 1998.

• Transgenic rescue of neurogenic atriphy in the nmd mouse reveals a role for Ighmbp2 in dilated cardiomyopathy. Maddatu et al 2004.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy in the nmd mouse: transgenic rescue and QTLs that improve cardiac function and survival. Maddatu et al 2005.

#heart #cardiac #disease #neuroscience #neurobiology