Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Multiple System Atrophy
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
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.
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.
Resources
WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
5731 Mosholu Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
USA
Tel: (347)843-6132
Fax: (718)601-5112
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
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
TDD: (301)468-5981
Email: me20t@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
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
Internet: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/adc
National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
PO Box 301
Red Wing, MN 55066-0102
Tel: (651)267-0525
Email: ndrf@ndrf.org
Internet: http://www.ndrf.org
MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
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
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
Shy-Drager Syndrome Support Group
8311 Brier Creek Parkway Suite 105-434
Raleigh, NC 27617
Tel: (866)737-4999
Email: Vjames@shy-drager.org or jbiedenharn@shy-drager.org
Internet: http://www.shy-drager.org
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.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
Internet: http://www.parkinson.org
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, 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. 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
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