The relationship between capillary development and disease progression in a mouse model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a common, inherited form of motor neurone disease. These conditions affect the specialised nerve cells in the spinal cord which control our every movement. The first signs of damage as the disease progresses are found in the connections between nerve cells and muscle and it is suggested that the blood supply to these muscles may also be compromised. This project aims to measure the extent of blood vessel development in diseased muscles and determine if changes in blood supply cause, or are a consequence of, disease progression.