Serum p-tau181 and p-tau217 levels in adolescents and adults with 5q spinal muscular atrophy

Background

Reliable blood biomarkers for longitudinal monitoring in adolescent and adult 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are lacking. Phosphorylated tau (p-tau) species are elevated in serum in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where they may reflect peripheral nerve and muscle pathology. We aimed to investigate serum p-tau181 and p-tau217 as longitudinal biomarkers in adolescent and adult SMA and assessed associations with clinical parameters.