NORD's
Washington Office
 Read about events on Capitol Hill, funding for rare-disease research, and other topics of interest from NORD's office in Washington, DC.
|
|
|
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) web site, its databases,
and the contents thereof are copyrighted by NORD. No part of the NORD web
site, databases, or the contents may be copied in any way, including but not
limited to the following: electronically downloading, storing in a retrieval
system, or redistributing for any commercial purposes without the express
written permission of NORD. Permission is hereby granted to print one hard
copy of the information on an individual disease for your personal use,
provided that such content is in no way modified, and the credit for the
source (NORD) and NORD’s copyright notice are included on the printed copy.
Any other electronic reproduction or other printed versions is strictly
prohibited.
The information in NORD's Rare Disease Database is for educational purposes only. It
should never be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you have questions regarding
a medical condition, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
professional. NORD's reports provide a brief overview of rare diseases. For more specific
information, we encourage you to contact your personal physician or the agencies listed as
"Resources" on this report.
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003
Synonyms of Multiple System Atrophy
Disorder Subdivisions
- Progressive Autonomic Failure with Multiple System Atrophy
- Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS)
- Sporadic Olivopontocerebellar 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.
.
Organizations related to Multiple System Atrophy
- Autonomic Dysfunction Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Drive
Nashville TN 37232-2195
Phone #: 615-322-5000
800 #: --
e-mail: david.robertson@vanderbilt.edu
Home page: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/adc
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
PO Box 301
Red Wing MN 55066-0102
Phone #: 651-267-0525
800 #: --
e-mail: ndrf@ndrf.org
Home page: http://www.ndrf.org
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda MD 20824
Phone #: 301-496-5751
800 #: 800-352-9424
e-mail: me20t@nih.gov
Home page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
- National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
1501 NW 9th Ave/Bob Hope Road
Miami FL 33136-1494
Phone #: 305-243-6666
800 #: 800-327-4545
e-mail: contact@parkinson.org
Home page: http://www.parkinson.org
- Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc.
1359 Broadway
Suite 1509
New York NY 10018
Phone #: 212-923-4700
800 #: 800-457-6676
e-mail: info@pdf.org
Home page: http://www.pdf.org
- Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS/MSA) Support Group
8311 Brier Creek Parkway Suite 105-434
Raleigh NC 27617
Phone #: N/A
800 #: 866-737-4999
e-mail: Vjames@shy-drager.org or jbiedenharn@shy-drager.org
Home page: http://www.shy-drager.org
- WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York NY 10024
Phone #: 212-875-8312
800 #: N/A
e-mail: wemove@wemove.org
Home page: http://www.wemove.org
|
|
