Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Introduced in Alberta and Saskatchewan
We are excited to share that through the advocacy efforts of Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), in the past week both Saskatchewan and Alberta’s provincial governments have implemented newborn screening (NBS) programs for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)!
On February 23rd, Saskatchewan officially expanded their newborn screening panel to include testing for SMA as part of its newborn screening program, and on February 28th Alberta announced that through a pilot project with MDC, newborns will be able to be screened for SMA.
MDC continues to work diligently with donors, provincial governments, partners and supporters to remove barriers so that screening for SMA in Canada is a reality. Read more about MDC’s multi-year, multi-phase endeavour in collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. to better understand and address barriers for the implementation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
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NMD4C Receive Excellence in Service Delivery Award and Network Investigators Honored as part of Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s 2024 Dr David Green Awards
We are excited to share that the NMD4C has been awarded the Excellence in Service Delivery Award, one of the annual Dr David Green Awards presented by Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
NMD4C Launch Canadian Neuromuscular Clinical Trial Network
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a Canadian neuromuscular clinical trial network (CTN) as a part of our clinical research work.
Training Session for Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists on Outcome Measures in Spinal muscular atrophy hosted by Quebec SMA Network
This past March 23, the Quebec SMA Network (Réseau québécois de l’amyotrophie spinale – RQAS) in collaboration with the NMD4C and Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) hosted an interactive training session for French-speaking physiotherapists and occupational therapists on assessment measures and practices for Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This training gathered clinicians to train and discuss SMA standardized outcome measures and work through current problems/challenges, to improve how these measures often tied to drug reimbursement are conducted.
MDC Announce Recipients of 2024 Neuromuscular Clinical and Translational Research Grants
Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) recently announced the recipients of its annual Neuromuscular Research Grants competition. Through these grants, MDC is investing $900,000 into clinical and translational research projects.
SMA Outcome Measures Training for Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
To support the development and training on validated NMD outcome measures we are pleased to provide opportunities for physiotherapists and occupational therapists to attend training sessions for outcome measures.
Congratulations to the 2024 NMD4C Early Career Awards Recipients
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 NMD4C Early Career Awards! This is the second year of our annual award program, celebrating excellence and contribution to the neuromuscular field from early career investigators across both clinical and basic science streams.