MSA IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH SONJA: What is MSA?

Multiple System Atrophy falls into the category of Atypical Parkinsonism, or Parkinson plus syndrome, a group of diseases linked to a lack of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine controls movement. While Parkinson’s is the most common Parkinsonism, approximately 20 percent of people will be diagnosed with another Parkinson’s-like condition.

What is Multiple System Atrophy?

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)* is a progressive brain disorder caused by loss of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This loss causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body. (Autonomic functions are body functions that occur automatically, such as bladder control.)

The term MSA stands for:

Multiple — many

System — brain structures that control different functions

Atrophy — cell shrinkage or damage

Which parts of the brain are affected in Multiple System Atrophy?

In MSA, cells are damaged in different areas of the brain which control a variety of body functions. The three areas affected are the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem.

In MSA, brain cells in the affected areas shrink (atrophy). This can sometimes be seen on MRI scans. When brain tissue is examined under a microscope, structures called glial inclusion bodies can be seen; they contain a protein called alpha-synuclein. It is the presence of these inclusion bodies in the movement, balance and autonomic control centres of the brain that confirms a diagnosis of MSA.

What are the symptoms of MSA?

The symptoms of MSA can be put into three groups. Having a diagnosis of MSA means you have a combination of symptoms from at least two of the groups:

Parkinson's symptoms – relating to slowness and stiffness of movement

• feeling slow and stiff when moving

• difficulty turning in bed

• difficulty starting to move

• difficulty fastening buttons on a shirt or

blouse.

Cerebellar symptoms – relating toco-ordinating movement and balance

• feeling clumsy, dropping things

• feeling unsteady in crowds

• inability to balance without support

• difficulty writing

• slurred speech

Autonomic symptoms – relating to automatic body functions

• bladder problems

• erectile dysfunction

• dizziness or fainting (blood pressure

problems)

• constipation

• cold hands and feet

• inability to sweat

Other symptoms may include:

• weakness in arms and legs

• heightened emotional response

laughing or crying disproportionate to

the situation)

• restless sleep

• nightmares

• noisy breathing during the day, snoring

at night

• unintentional sighing

• swallowing problems, difficulty chewing,

choking episodes

• weak, quiet voice

• cognitive problems, slowness in

thinking, difficulty with multi-tasking

What causes Multiple System Atrophy?

It is unclear why the cells become damaged in MSA. It does not appear to be inherited, although some research suggests there may be a predisposition to MSA due to the individual’s genetic make-up. What triggers the damage is unknown. Environmental toxins or a history of trauma is a focus of ongoing

research. MSA is not infectious or contagious.

How is someone diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy?

Due to the variety of symptoms present in MSA, it is often difficult, at first, to differentiate it from Parkinson’s disease. Sometimes, it can take years before a distinction can be made. Generally, MSA has a more rapid decline, no tremor, early autonomic symptoms, and motor symptoms on both sides of the body rather than one side. If someone responds poorly to medications used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, this may be a clue that MSA is present. Also, if you still have your sense of smell, this can distinguish MSA from Parkinson’s because loss of smell is common in people with Parkinson’s and not as common in MSA.

An assessment by a movement disorder

specialist can determine if you have MSA. Included in this assessment would be a complete medical history, a physical exam and tests, including brain imaging.

What is the progression of Multiple System Atrophy?

MSA is a progressive brain disease and everyone will experience MSA differently. However, the symptoms will change. In MSA, the changes occur more rapidly than with Parkinson’s. You will need more help to care for yourself as symptoms impact your daily life. Lowered blood pressure can cause fainting and falls. Loss of co-ordination, slowed

movements, and rigidity can interfere with activities of daily living.

How is Multiple System Atrophy treated?

Currently, there is no treatment to slow the progression of the disease. The complex nature of MSA means you should see a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders. It is important to look at and treat each symptom separately in order to maintain daily activities and quality of life. Often a multidisciplinary team, including a neurologist, social worker, speech language pathologist, physiotherapist, urologist, clinical nurse and family doctor will be involved

Information from Parkinson's Society Canada

The following body functions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system:

This is a good analogy by Pam Bower explaining MSA.

"WHAT IS MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY(MSA)? I thought of this analogy many years ago to describe MSA, I've modified it a little bit: MSA is like the three flavoured Neapolitan ice cream. Everyone with MSA gets a scoop of the MSA ice cream just as everyone at a birthday party gets a scoop of Neopolitan ice cream in their dish. If you were at the party and looked at your dish and at the dish of the person next to you you would notice that there is not the exact same amount of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry in both of the dishes. In someone with Multiple System Atrophy, if their symptoms are mainly CEREBELLAR like ataxia (loss of balance), slurred speech or difficulty swallowing they have mostly vanilla ice cream in their dish . If their symptoms are mainly PARKINSONISM like tremors and slowness of movement they have mostly chocolate ice cream in their dish. If their symptoms are mainly AUTONOMIC like Orthostatic hypotension or urinary incontinence or urinary retention or sexual dysfunction they have mostly strawberry ice cream in their dish. Everyone needs to have some strawberry symptoms to have possible MSA. On top of this they need to have some vanilla and some chocolate symptoms too. Note that they may have a whole lot of vanilla and a tiny bit of chocolate. If so they are called MSA-C (cerebellar). If they have a whole lot of chocolate and a tiny bit of vanilla they are called MSA-P (parkinsonism). People with MSA have a changing bowl of ice cream though ... their vanilla and chocolate and strawberry amounts increase over time as they develop more symptoms from the cerebellar or the parkinsons or the autonomic sides. ... but this will vary from person to person. This is because the disease is spreading throughout the brain. It does not spread exactly the same way in every person. I hope this helps you understand Multiple System Atrophy a bit better. "