MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a severe neurological degeneration manifesting cerebellar ataxia, untreatable parkinsonism and dysautonomia. Because of so seriously intractable disease as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, no small numbers of MSA patient are hospitalized in the neurological wards of the National Hospital. In this paper, the clinical and pathological feature of longterm followed-up cases of MSA are reviewed on the basis of studies performed in Suzuka National Hospital; progressive degeneration of the ponto-cerebllar and extrapyramidal systems in neuroimaging, bath-tub hypotension, neuro-leptic malignant syndrome, endocrinological disorder and progressive cerebral atrophy.
For the elucidation of the etiology and establishedment of treatment of MSA, scientific investigation in the National Hospitals are necessary.