Valproic Acid in Ambulant Adults With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ambulatory adults with SMA 3 ages 18-60. The diagnosis of SMA must be documented by the homozygous deletion of both SMN1 genes on standard genetic tests for the disorder. Patients must be able to walk thirty feet without assistance (i.e. no canes, walkers). 2. Interest in participating and the ability to meet the study requirements. 3. Women of child bearing age are required to be on birth control or abstain while participating in the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-ambulatory type 3 adults and all type 2 adults. 2. Patients with co-morbid conditions that preclude travel, testing or study medications. 3. Patients who have participated in a treatment trial for SMA in the 3 months prior to this trial, or plan on enrolling in any other treatment trial during the duration of this trial. 4. Patients who are, in the investigator's opinion, mentally or legally incapacitated from providing informed consent for the study, or are otherwise unable to meet study requirements or cooperate reliably with study procedures, especially strength testing. 5. Patients with a need for non-invasive ventilatory support (e.g. BiPAP) for \> 12 hours/day 6. Transaminases, amylase or lipase \> 3.0 x normal values, WBC \< 3.0 or neutropenia \< 1.0, platelet count \< 100 K, or hematocrit \< 30 persisting over a 30 day period 7. Use of medications or supplements which interfere with VPA metabolism and increase the potential risks of the medications, or are hypothesized to have a beneficial effect in SMA animal models or human neuromuscular disorders within 3 months of study enrollment. These agents include riluzole, creatine, butyrate derivatives, growth hormone, anabolic steroids, daily albuterol use, anticonvulsants, or other HDAC inhibitors. 8. Women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant while participating in the research study or who are breastfeeding.