Multiple system atrophy

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Multiple system atrophy
MSA aSynuclein.jpg
Alpha synuclein immunohistochemistry of the brain showing many glial inclusions
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder[1] characterized by autonomic dysfunction, tremors, slow movement, muscle rigidity, and postural instability (collectively known as parkinsonism) and ataxia. This is caused by progressive degeneration of neurons in several parts of the brain including the basal ganglia, inferior olivary nucleus, and cerebellum.

Many people affected by MSA experience dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which commonly manifests as orthostatic hypotension, impotence, loss of sweating, dry mouth and urinary retention and incontinence. Palsy of the vocal cords is an important and sometimes initial clinical manifestation of the disorder.

A modified form of the alpha-synuclein protein within affected neurons may cause MSA.[2] About 55% of MSA cases occur in men, with those affected first showing symptoms at the age of 50-60 years.[3] MSA often presents with some of the same symptoms as Parkinson's disease. However, those with MSA generally show little response to the dopamine medications used to treat Parkinson's disease, and only about 9% of MSA patients with tremor had a true parkinsonian pill-rolling tremor.[4]

MSA is distinct from multisystem proteinopathy, a more common muscle wasting syndrome. It should also not be confused with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, sometimes referred to as multiple organ failure, or with multiple organ system failure, an often-fatal complication of septic shock or other very severe illnesses or injuries.

Signs and symptoms[edit]

MSA is characterized by the following, which can be present in any combination:[5][6]

A variant with combined features of MSA and Lewy body dementia may also exist.[unreliable medical source?][7] There have also been occasional instances of frontotemporal lobar degeneration associated with MSA.[8]

Initial presentation[edit]

The most common first sign of MSA is the appearance of an "akinetic-rigid syndrome" (i.e. slowness of initiation of movement resembling Parkinson's disease) found in 62% at first presentation. Other common signs at onset include problems with balance (cerebellar ataxia) found in 22% at first presentation, followed by genito-urinary symptoms (9%): both men and women often experience urgency, frequency, incomplete bladder emptying, or an inability to pass urine (retention). About 1 in 5 MSA patients experience a fall in their first year of disease.[9]

For men, the first sign can be erectile dysfunction. Women have also reported reduced genital sensitivity.[10]


As the disease progresses one of three groups of symptoms predominate. These are:

  1. Parkinsonism - slow, stiff movement, writing becomes small and spidery
  2. Cerebellar dysfunction - difficulty coordinating movement and balance
  3. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction - impaired automatic body functions, including one, some, or all of the following:


One study found a correlation between the deletion of genes in a specific genetic region and the development of MSA in a group of Japanese patients.[14] The region in question includes the SHC2 gene which, in mice and rats, appears to have some function in the nervous system. The authors of this study hypothesized that there may be a link between the deletion of the SHC2 and the development of MSA. (See Copy-number variation for a general discussion of gene copy deletion and the variation in the number of copies of one or more sections of the DNA.)

A follow-up study was unable to replicate this finding in American MSA patients.[15] The authors of the U.S. study concluded that "Our results indicate that SHC2 gene deletions underlie few, if any, cases of well-characterized MSA in the US population. This is in contrast to the Japanese experience reported by Sasaki et al., likely reflecting heterogeneity of the disease in different genetic backgrounds."


Multiple system atrophy can be explained as cell loss and gliosis or a proliferation of astrocytes in damaged areas of the central nervous system. This damage forms a scar which is then termed a glial scar.[16] The presence of these inclusions (also known as Papp–Lantos bodies) in the movement, balance, and autonomic-control centres of the brain are the defining histopathologic hallmark of MSA.

The major filamentous component of glial and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions is alpha-synuclein.[17] Mutations in this substance may play a role in the disease.[18] A post-translationally modified form of the protein called alpha-synuclein may be a causal agent for the disease.[2] probably caused by a primary oligodendrogliopathy.[19]

Tau proteins have been found in some glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCI)s.[20]



Clinical diagnostic criteria were defined in 1998[21] and updated in 2007.[22] Certain signs and symptoms of MSA also occur with other disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, making the diagnosis more difficult.[23][24][25]


Both MRI and CT scanning may show a decrease in the size of the cerebellum and pons in those with cerebellar features (MSA-C). The putamen is hypodense on T2-weighted MRI and may show an increased deposition of iron in the Parkinsonian (MSA-P) form. In MSA-C, a "hot cross bun" sign is sometimes found; it reflects atrophy of the pontocerebellar fibers that manifest in T2 signal intensity in the atrophic pons.

MRI changes are not required to diagnose the disease as these features are often absent, especially early in the course of the disease. Additionally, the changes can be quite subtle, and are usually missed by examiners who are not experienced with MSA.


Pathological diagnosis can only be made at autopsy by finding abundant GCIs on histological specimens of the central nervous system.[26]


MSA is one of several neurodegenerative diseases known as synucleinopathies: they have in common an abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in various parts of the brain. Other synucleinopathies include Parkinson's disease, the Lewy body dementias, and other more rare conditions.[27]

Old terminology[edit]

Historically, many terms were used to refer to this disorder, based on the predominant systems presented. These terms were discontinued by consensus in 1996 and replaced with MSA and its subtypes,[28] but awareness of these older terms and their definitions is helpful to understanding the relevant literature prior to 1996. These include striatonigral degeneration (SND), olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), and Shy–Drager syndrome.[29] A table describing the characteristics and modern names of these conditions follows:

Historical Name Characteristics Modern name and abbreviation
Striatonigral degeneration predominating Parkinson's-like symptoms MSA-P, "p" = parkinsonian subtype
Sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) characterized by progressive ataxia (an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements) of the gait and arms and dysarthria (difficulty in articulating words) MSA-C, "c" = cerebellar dysfunction subtype
Shy–Drager syndrome characterized by Parkinsonism plus a more pronounced failure of the autonomic nervous system.[30] No modern equivalent – this terminology fell out of favour[31] and was not specified in the 2007 consensus paper.[22] The earlier consensus of 1998[21] referred to MSA-A, "a" = autonomic dysfunction subtype but this subtype is no longer used.

Current terminology[edit]

The current terminology and diagnostic criteria for the disease were established at a 2007 conference of experts and set forth in a position paper.[22] This Second Consensus Statement defines two categories of MSA, based on the predominant symptoms of the disease at the time of evaluation. These are:

  • MSA with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) - defined as MSA where extrapyramidal features predominate. It is sometimes termed striatonigral degeneration, parkinsonian variant.
  • MSA with cerebellar features (MSA-C) - defined as MSA in which cerebellar ataxia predominates. It is sometimes termed sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy.



Ongoing care from a neurologist specializing in movement disorders is recommended,[by whom?] because the complex symptoms of MSA are often not familiar to less-specialized neurologists. Hospice/homecare services can be very useful as disability progresses.

Drug therapy[edit]

Levodopa (L-Dopa), a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, improves parkinsonian symptoms in a small percentage of MSA patients. A recent trial reported that only 1.5% of MSA patients experienced any improvement at all when taking levodopa, their improvement was less than 50%, and even that improvement was a transient effect lasting less than one year. Poor response to L-Dopa has been suggested as a possible element in the differential diagnosis of MSA from Parkinson's disease.

The drug riluzole is ineffective in treating MSA or PSP.[9]


Management by rehabilitation professionals including physiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others for difficulties with walking/movement, daily tasks, and speech problems is essential.

Physiotherapists can help to maintain the patient’s mobility and will help to prevent contractures.[16] Instructing patients in gait training will help to improve their mobility and decrease their risk of falls.[32] A physiotherapist may also prescribe mobility aids such as a cane or a walker to increase the patient’s safety.[32]

Speech therapists may assist in assessing, treating and supporting speech (dysarthria) and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Speech changes mean that alternative communication may be needed, for example communication aids or word charts.

Early intervention of swallowing difficulties is particularly useful to allow for discussion around tube feeding further in the disease progression.[citation needed] At some point in the progression of the disease, fluid and food modification may be implemented.

Avoidance of postural hypotension[edit]

One particularly serious problem, the drop in blood pressure upon standing up (with risk of fainting and thus injury from falling) often responds to fludrocortisone, a synthetic mineralocorticoid.[33] Another common drug treatment is the alpha-agonist midodrine.[34]

Non-drug treatments include "head-up tilt" (elevating the head of the whole bed by about 10 degrees), salt tablets or increasing salt in the diet, generous intake of fluids, and pressure (elastic) stockings. Avoidance of triggers of low blood pressure, such as hot weather, alcohol, and dehydration, are crucial.[35] The patient can be taught to move and transfer from sitting to standing slowly to decrease risk of falls and limit the effect of postural hypotension.[32] Instruction in ankle pumping helps to return blood in the legs to the systemic circulation.[32] Other preventative measures are raising the head of the bed by 8 in (20.3 cm), and the use of compression stockings and abdominal binders.[5]


Social workers and occupational therapists can also help with coping with disability through the provision of equipment and home adaptations, services for caregivers and access to healthcare services, both for the person with MSA as well as family caregivers.

People affected by MSA are supported by multiple organizations, such as The Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Coalition, and Defeat MSA.[36]


The average lifespan after the onset of symptoms in patients with MSA is 6-10 years.[3] Approximately 60% of patients require a wheelchair within five years of onset of the motor symptoms, and few patients survive beyond 12 years.[3] The disease progresses without remission at a variable rate. Those who present at an older age, those with parkinsonian features, and those with severe autonomic dysfunction have a poorer prognosis.[3] Those with predominantly cerebellar features and those who display autonomic dysfunction later have a better prognosis.[3]

Causes of death[edit]

The most common causes of death are sudden death and death caused by infections, which include urinary catheterization infections, feeding tube infections, and aspiration pneumonia. Some deaths are caused by cachexia, also known as wasting syndrome.[37]


Multiple system atrophy is estimated to affect approximately 5 per 100,000 people. At autopsy, many patients diagnosed during life with Parkinson’s disease are found actually to have MSA, suggesting that the actual incidence of MSA is higher than that estimate.[3] While some suggest that MSA affects slightly more men than women (1.3:1), others suggest that the two sexes are equally likely to be affected.[3][5][16] The condition most commonly presents in persons aged 50-60.[3]

Notable cases[edit]

  • Nikolai Andrianov was a Soviet/Russian gymnast who held the record for men for the most Olympic medals at 15 (7 gold medals, 5 silver medals, 3 bronze medals) until Michael Phelps surpassed him at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.[39]
  • Singer and songwriter Johnny Cash wrote in his autobiography that he was diagnosed with Shy-Drager in 1997.[41]


Mesenchymal stem cell therapy may delay the progression of neurological deficits in patients with MSA-cerebellar type.[42]


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