Cure SMA Announces New $50,000 Clinical Care Research Grant to Nilesh Mehta at Boston Children's Hospital

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. - Jan. 26, 2015 - PRLog -- Cure SMA has announced a new $50,000 clinical care grant to Dr. Nilesh Mehta, for his project focusing on nutrition in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Some individuals with SMA are at risk for undernutrition, which means they are not receiving enough nourishment. Others are at risk for overnutrition, which means they are consuming too much. Many factors contribute to these risks, so it can be difficult for doctors and families to strike the right balance. Dr. Mehta will be investigating techniques to measure each individual's unique needs, creating a nutrition prescription tailored for them.

This grant to Dr. Mehta is part of $225,000 in clinical care funding that Cure SMA will be announcing over the next few weeks. Clinical care research is the fourth prong of Cure SMA’s research strategy. Clinical care research investigates the issues that affect daily life for people with SMA, from breathing to nutrition, and to improves their quality of life today. The evidence-based clinical care projects Cure SMA is funding can improve the standard of care for those with SMA, educate medical professionals, and point the way toward new innovations.

About Nilesh Mehta

Principal Investigator: Nilesh Mehta, MD
Institution: Boston Children’s Hospital
Project Title: Role of Individualized Metabolic Measurement in Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Objective

Both over and undernourishment can pose significant problems related to breathing, strength and endurance, for individuals with SMA. The proposed study aims to examine the role of novel approach where nutritional prescriptions are based on measured calorie requirements (metabolic testing) and therefore individualized for each child. Our study will also describe the muscle mass and fat mass in subjects and examine the accuracy of a portable device that allows these measurements to be made regularly and therefore allow a more detailed evaluation of the patient’s growth and body composition.
Such a method of assessing and prescribing nutrition tailored to each individual has been shown to be beneficial in other patient groups, but has never been tested in children with SMA. Children with SMA type II and III are vulnerable to malnutrition and could benefit from a nutrition therapy that would maintain their muscle mass and strength. This group is already faced with challenges to receiving the optimal amount of feeds. This is an area that has been neglected.

Significance

Results will help identify the prevalence of malnutrition, suboptimal energy intake (actual energy intake in relation to measured energy requirement), and body composition. The findings will a new paradigm based on measured requirements, and improve nutrition related outcomes.

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About Cure SMA

Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)—a disease that takes away a person’s ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.

Since 1984, we’ve directed and invested in comprehensive research that has shaped the scientific community’s understanding of SMA. We are currently on the verge of breakthroughs in treatment that will strengthen our children’s bodies, extend life, and lead to a cure.

We have deep expertise in every aspect of SMA—from the day-to-day realities to the nuances of care options—and until we have a cure, we’ll do everything we can to support children and families affected by the disease.

Learn more about how you can help us reach a treatment and cure at www.cureSMA.org.