Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Multiple System Atrophy is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• MSA

Disorder Subdivisions

• Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS)
• Sporadic Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
• Progressive Autonomic Failure with Multiple System Atrophy
• Sporadic OPCA
• Striatonigral Degeneration (SND)

General Discussion

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare progressive neurological disorder characterized by a varying combination of symptoms. 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. The exact cause of multiple system atrophy is unknown.

The term multiple system atrophy has generated significant controversy and confusion in the medical literature. The term now encompasses three conditions once thought to be separate disorders, specifically Shy-Drager syndrome, striatonigral degeneration, and sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Additionally, there is a hereditary form of olivopontocerebellar atrophy that is not part of the multiple system atrophy spectrum.
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Resources

WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
USA
Tel: 2128758312
Fax: 2128758389
Email: wemove@wemove.org
Internet: http://www.wemove.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
Internet: http://www.pdf.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Autonomic Dysfunction Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
AA3228 MCN
Nashville, TN 37232-2195
USA
Tel: 6153436499
Fax: 6153438649
Email: david.robertson@vanderbilt.edu
Internet: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/adc

National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
PO Box 301
Red Wing, MN 55066-0102
Tel: (651)267-0525
Fax: (651)267-0524
Email: ndrf@ndrf.org
Internet: http://www.ndrf.org

Shy-Drager Syndrome/Multiple System Atrophy Support Group
P.O. Box 279
Coupland, TX 78615
Tel: (866)737-4999
Email: don.summers@shy-drager.org
Internet: http://www.shy-drager.org/

National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
1501 NW 9th Ave/Bob Hope Road
Miami, FL 33136-1494
Tel: (305)243-6666
Fax: (305)243-5595
Tel: (800)327-4545
Email: contact@parkinson.org
Internet: http://www.parkinson.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

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.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  5/2/2008
Copyright  1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.