Patient: I started walking unsteadily and falling down when I was one year old. At that time, I felt weakness in my left upper and lower extremities, but my right side was normal. I went to many hospitals across the country for tests, but the results were “progressive spinal muscular atrophy” and treatment was ineffective. I am now 33 years old and I cannot walk, but I can still move my arms and legs, and I can take care of my basic life. I have never had any difficulty swallowing. Is this progressive spinal muscular atrophy (PSMA)? I know that spinal muscular atrophy is SMA, but is there a genetic test for both diseases? I am planning to have a baby now, and I heard that PSMA is not hereditary, is it? The main cause of the disease is the involvement of lower motor neurons. It is primarily a familial form of spinal muscular atrophy. It is now believed that in addition to familial disease, SMA is also partly disseminated. The part that is disseminated is now placed in motor neuron disease, which is basically equivalent to PSMA.” For both disseminated and familial, there is the problem of genetic defects, so it is best not to have children to avoid passing on genetic defects to the next generation. Patient: What tests can be done to determine PSMA that is disseminated? I have already had the genetic test for SMA. The results are not yet available. If they are not, can I still have the genetic test for PSMA? Is there such a genetic test? Dr. Lv: Actually, they are called different, but the root of the problem is one, wait for the results of your genetic test. Patient: Dr. Lv, hello my genetic test results came out and it is indeed SMA, SMN1. do my loved ones need any related tests for this result? If I am a SMA patient and my husband is not a carrier, do I still need prenatal testing if I get pregnant? Dr. Lv: Your lover does not need to be tested because the probability of having the same disease is very small. Therefore, from the eugenic point of view, it is not suitable.