PTEN and proximal spinal muscular atrophy: This approach of PTEN depletion using viral vector in SMNdelta7 mice achieved a substantial improvement of motor neuron survival and represent an important therapeutic strategy to promote the health of motor neurons in SMA and other motor neuron diseases.70,71 Branchu et al.72, in their study demonstrated that the drug inhibition of MEK/ERK/Elk-1 signaling pathway could be beneficial to study the severe types of SMA.