In MSA, a part of the brain called the cerebellum is damaged. This can make the person clumsy and unsteady when walking, and can also cause slurred speech. These problems are collectively known as cerebellar ataxia.
MSA affects differing parts of the brain, including the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The changes in the basal ganglia, which is also affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), cause the Parkinsonian movement changes. This is the most common form of MSA.
MRI is useful and indispensable in the diagnosis of MSA and also possibly for monitoring disease progression.
Brain imaging scans, such as an MRI , can show signs that may suggest MSA and also help determine if there are other causes that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA), also known as Shy-Drager syndrome, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, and striatonigral degeneration, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that affect both the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary ...
Though dementia is not considered a common characteristic of MSA, cognitive impairment occurs in some patients in the form of loss of verbal memory and verbal fluency1.
MSA affects men and women equally, with an average age of onset of approximately 55 years [2, 3].
What are the symptoms of MSA? Most often, the first clinical symptom a patient will note will be lightheadedness, dizziness, and episodes of passing out, but the first symptoms in some patients may include difficulty initiating movement, body stiffness, urinary incontinence, and increased falls.
During the final stages of the disease, patients have trouble chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
Whilst MSA doesn't cause loss of sight, there are several symptoms that can occur. People living with MSA may display abnormal eye movements. Most commonly, this is a consequence of impaired or absent convergence, which is the ability to focus both eyes together. This may result in blurred or double vision.
Sleep disorders in patients with MSA include rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and nocturnal sleep disturbances. Previous studies showed that 69% to 100% of patients with MSA experience RBD.
Causes of multiple system atrophy (MSA)
The brain cells of a person with MSA contain a protein called alpha-synuclein. A build-up of abnormal alpha-synuclein is thought to be responsible for damaging areas of the brain that control balance, movement and the body's normal functions.
In MSA there may be several stages -- alpha-synuclein accumulates in the oligodendroglial cells, then there is failure of mitochondrial function as well as loss of trophic factor support. Then the oligodendroglia degenerate, followed by microglia and astroglial activation.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurological disease that causes certain brain areas to deteriorate. Over time, this disrupts abilities and functions handled by those brain areas. This disease is ultimately fatal.
The prevalence of MS in Australia has increased from 103.7 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 131.1 per 100,000 people in 2021.
Listen, listen, listen: Living with MSA can be very isolating. The family may be eager to talk about what they are going through so listening and showing empathy can be one of the most helpful things you can do. Or they may just want a light, fun evening with laughter. Pay attention to their cues and follow their lead.
People typically live about 7 to 10 years after multiple system atrophy symptoms first appear. However, the survival rate with MSA varies widely. Death is often due to respiratory problems, infections or blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolus).
The progression of MSA varies, but the condition does not go into remission. As the disorder progresses, daily activities become more difficult. Possible complications include: Breathing problems during sleep.
What bowel problems can occur when you have MSA? Constipation is the most common bowel problem experienced by people with MSA. However, a number of people with MSA will experience diarrhoea and some people have fluctuation between constipation and diarrhoea (see points 5, 7 and 9 below).
Most cases of multiple system atrophy are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. Rarely, the condition has been reported to run in families; however, it usually does not have a clear pattern of inheritance.
Appetite reduces and weight loss is apparent. Communication becomes too effortful and breathing more bubbly or shallow. Dying is very rarely a dramatic event. In the majority of cases it is an increasing winding down of all bodily functions and everything stopping, death occurring in a peaceful and dignified manner.
In this unselected referral autopsy series of patients with antemortem diagnoses of MSA, the diagnostic accuracy was about 62%, which is within the range of other autopsy series.
Definition. Multiple system atrophy- parkinsonian type (MSA-P) is a rare condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson disease. However, people with MSA-P have more widespread damage to the part of the nervous system that controls important functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating.
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA17, DRPLA) and also late-onset Huntington disease (HD) represent the most frequent genetic misdiagnosis due to the considerable clinical overlap with MSA [5].
At present, there are no therapies that can reverse or slow the progression of MSA.