Multiple System Atrophy
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
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General Discussion
Summary
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare sporadic progressive neurological disorder characterized by a varying combination of symptoms and signs. Onset is during adulthood (>30 years). Affected individuals may experience symptoms similar to those found in Parkinson's disease (parkinsonism); cerebellar signs such as progressive impairment of the ability to coordinate voluntary movements (cerebellar ataxia); and impaired functioning of the portion of the nervous system (autonomic nervous system) that regulates certain involuntary body functions (autonomic failure) such as heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and bowel and bladder control. When parkinsonian symptoms predominate, the disorder may be referred to as MSA-P (parkinsonian phenotype); when the cerebellar symptoms predominate the disorder may be referred to as MSA-C (cerebellar phenotype). The exact cause of MSA is unknown.
Introduction
The term multiple system atrophy was first introduced in the medical literature in 1969. It encompasses three presentations of a single disease formerly thought to be separate disorders, specifically Shy-Drager syndrome (which emphasized autonomic dysfunction), striatonigral degeneration (which emphasized parkinsonian symptoms), and sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (which emphasized cerebellar symptoms), although the cases of each of these that were originally described presented a combination of all three clinical features, and brain pathology was found in both the striatonigral and olivopontocerebellar structures. Additionally, there is a hereditary form of olivopontocerebellar atrophy that is not part of the multiple system atrophy spectrum.
Supporting Organizations
CurePSP: Foundation for PSP l CBD & Related Brain Diseases
- 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201
- Timonium, MD 21093
- Tel: (410)785-7004
- Fax: (410)785-7009
- Tel: (800)457-4777
- Email: info@curepsp.org
- Website: http://www.curepsp.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
- PO Box 8126
- Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
- Tel: (301)251-4925
- Fax: (301)251-4911
- Tel: (888)205-2311
- Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
Movement Disorder Society
- 555 E. Wells Street
- Suite 1100
- Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
- Tel: (414)276-2145
- Fax: (414)276-3349
- Email: info@movementdisorders.org
- Website: http://www.movementdisorders.org
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- P.O. Box 5801
- Bethesda, MD 20824
- Tel: (301)496-5751
- Fax: (301)402-2186
- Tel: (800)352-9424
- Website: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
National Ataxia Foundation
- 2600 Fernbrook Lane Suite 119
- Minneapolis, MN 55447
- USA
- Tel: (763)553-0020
- Fax: (763)553-0167
- Email: naf@ataxia.org
- Website: http://www.ataxia.org
National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
- PO Box 301
- Red Wing, MN 55066-0102
- Tel: (651)327-0367
- Email: ndrf@ndrf.org
- Website: http://www.ndrf.org
National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
- 1501 NW 9th Ave/Bob Hope Road
- Miami, FL 33136-1494
- Tel: (305)243-6666
- Fax: (305)243-6073
- Tel: (800)327-4545
- Email: contact@parkinson.org
- Website: http://www.parkinson.org
Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc.
- 1359 Broadway
- Suite 1509
- New York, NY 10018
- Tel: (212)923-4700
- Fax: (212)923-4778
- Tel: (800)457-6676
- Email: info@pdf.org
- Website: http://www.pdf.org
The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition
- 9935-D Rea Road, #212
- Charlotte, NC 28277
- Tel: (866)737-4999
- Website: http://www.multiple-system-atrophy.org
Vanderbilt's Autonomic Dysfunction Center
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 1211 Medical Center Drive
- Nashville, TN 37232-2195
- USA
- Tel: (615)322-5000
- Fax: (615)343-8649
- Email: david.robertson@vanderbilt.edu
- Website: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/adc
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.
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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
Last Updated: 7/15/2015
Copyright 2013 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
