*** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

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*** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

Multiple System Atrophy(MSA) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that

affects multiple areas of the brain. You may also know it as Shy-Drager

Syndrome(SDS), Striatonigral Degeneration(SND) or Sporadic(non-hereditary)

Olivopontocerebellar atrophy(OPCA). These three disorders have now been

lumped together and are considered one disorder by the MSA research experts.

There are now two major groups of researchers in the world dedicated to

studying MSA. The North American Multiple System Atrophy Study

Group(NAMSA-SG) and the European Multiple System Atrophy Study

Group(EMSA-SG) see http://www.emsa-sg.org

Multiple System Atrophy is recognized by several charitable organizations.

The SDS/MSA Support Group in the US

http://www.shy-drager.com

The Matheson Trust for Multiple System Atrophy in the UK

http://www.msaweb.co.uk

The National Ataxia Foundation in the US consider MSA a non-hereditary

(sporadic)

ataxia.

http://www.ataxia.org

The National Dysautonomia Research Foundation in the US consider MSA a

dysautonomia

(disorder of the autonomic nervous system).

http://www.ndrf.org

As well, various Parkinson Disease Societies and Foundations worldwide

recognize MSA as a " Parkinson-Plus " Disorder.

Information Sheets on MSA:

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic671.htm

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic282.htm

http://www.parkinson.org/atrophy.htm

http://www.ataxia.org/generations/2001summer/gilman.html

There is an online support group mailing list for Multiple System Atrophy at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shydrager

Past issues of " MSA News " are available at the American Autonomic Society

Website:

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/aas

Click on Patient Resources

Regards,

Pam

Multiple System Atrophy Online Support Group

pbower@...