Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge

Introduction: Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s disease, is a rare X-linked neuromuscular disorder primarily affecting lower motor neuron. It is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene. SBMA typically presents with late-onset, sl...

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Main Authors: Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska, Anna Centkowska, Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń, Martyna Zwierzchowska, Agata Antoniak, Anna Maria Jocz, Joanna Karina Banaśkiewicz, Aleksandra Maria Żyta, Maria Anna Żmijewska, Jakub Ziółkowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-06-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61232
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author Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska
Anna Centkowska
Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń
Martyna Zwierzchowska
Agata Antoniak
Anna Maria Jocz
Joanna Karina Banaśkiewicz
Aleksandra Maria Żyta
Maria Anna Żmijewska
Jakub Ziółkowski
author_facet Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska
Anna Centkowska
Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń
Martyna Zwierzchowska
Agata Antoniak
Anna Maria Jocz
Joanna Karina Banaśkiewicz
Aleksandra Maria Żyta
Maria Anna Żmijewska
Jakub Ziółkowski
author_sort Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s disease, is a rare X-linked neuromuscular disorder primarily affecting lower motor neuron. It is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene. SBMA typically presents with late-onset, slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, involving both bulbar and extremity muscles. Diagnosis is frequently delayed, particularly in individuals without a known family history of the disease, with an average diagnostic lag of approximately five years. Purpose: This paper aims to analyze and synthesize the current state of knowledge on SBMA spanning early clinical presentation, diagnostic processes, management of multifaceted symptoms, and emerging therapeutic strategies. Methodology: The PubMed and Google Scholar database were searched for scientific articles published between 2015-2024 where ‘Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy’, ‘Kennedys disease’ appears as keywords. Conclusion: SBMA clinically presents with progressive muscle weakness, bulbar dysfunction, tremor, and metabolic disturbances, often beginning between the ages of 30 and 50. Many patients experience a prolonged and convoluted diagnostic pathway, often involving misdiagnosis and unnecessary or invasive interventions. While no curative treatment currently exists, management focuses on supportive multidisciplinary care, including physical therapy, neurologopedic intervention, and nutritional and respiratory monitoring. Experimental therapies targeting the androgen receptor pathway and molecular mechanisms are under investigation, offering hope for future disease-modifying strategies. Continued research and individualized care remain essential to improving outcomes and quality of life in patients with SBMA.  
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spelling doaj-art-cb739aee240e4176b8cfee74276ccfe92025-08-20T03:16:01ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-06-014210.12775/QS.2025.42.61232Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of KnowledgeGabriela Helena Dąbrowska0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9450-5115Anna Centkowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-3560-0259Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleńhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-4898-2339Martyna Zwierzchowskahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0723-8404Agata Antoniakhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-9909-0834Anna Maria Joczhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-4541-8429Joanna Karina Banaśkiewiczhttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-9733-7456Aleksandra Maria Żytahttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-1247-3056Maria Anna Żmijewskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-7122-8410Jakub Ziółkowskihttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-0027-4315The Infant Jesus Teaching Hospital Introduction: Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s disease, is a rare X-linked neuromuscular disorder primarily affecting lower motor neuron. It is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene. SBMA typically presents with late-onset, slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, involving both bulbar and extremity muscles. Diagnosis is frequently delayed, particularly in individuals without a known family history of the disease, with an average diagnostic lag of approximately five years. Purpose: This paper aims to analyze and synthesize the current state of knowledge on SBMA spanning early clinical presentation, diagnostic processes, management of multifaceted symptoms, and emerging therapeutic strategies. Methodology: The PubMed and Google Scholar database were searched for scientific articles published between 2015-2024 where ‘Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy’, ‘Kennedys disease’ appears as keywords. Conclusion: SBMA clinically presents with progressive muscle weakness, bulbar dysfunction, tremor, and metabolic disturbances, often beginning between the ages of 30 and 50. Many patients experience a prolonged and convoluted diagnostic pathway, often involving misdiagnosis and unnecessary or invasive interventions. While no curative treatment currently exists, management focuses on supportive multidisciplinary care, including physical therapy, neurologopedic intervention, and nutritional and respiratory monitoring. Experimental therapies targeting the androgen receptor pathway and molecular mechanisms are under investigation, offering hope for future disease-modifying strategies. Continued research and individualized care remain essential to improving outcomes and quality of life in patients with SBMA.   https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61232spinal and bulbar muscular atrophyKennedy's disease
spellingShingle Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska
Anna Centkowska
Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń
Martyna Zwierzchowska
Agata Antoniak
Anna Maria Jocz
Joanna Karina Banaśkiewicz
Aleksandra Maria Żyta
Maria Anna Żmijewska
Jakub Ziółkowski
Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
Quality in Sport
spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy
Kennedy's disease
title Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
title_full Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
title_fullStr Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
title_full_unstemmed Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
title_short Kennedy’s Disease – Current State Of Knowledge
title_sort kennedy s disease current state of knowledge
topic spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy
Kennedy's disease
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61232
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