When is it MSA instead of idiopatic cerebellar ataxia?

[klazien]

MSA stands for Multiple System Atrophy and many of my systems have atrophied but other people with ataxia also have many different problems.

[HarryB Administrator]

Hi klazien

Ataxia is characterised by cell degeneration in only the cerebellum in the brain which in turn leads to problems with movement and co-ordination. Multiple Systems atrophy (MSA) is characterised by cell degeneration in multiple sites in the brain, typically the cerebellum, brainstem and basal ganglia. Effects of the latter two sites can be symptoms akin to Parkinsons and control of the bladder and blood pressure. As the basal ganglia and brainstem are not affected in cerebellar ataxia, the resulting symptoms are not seen in CA either.

Best wishes

Harriet

[silkwood]

I have been told my CA has elements of MSA. I was diiagnozed in 2009 after balance probs. Do not know the cause.My CA characterisd by awful treemors,cannotwalk and poor speech and vision;thhe latter two recent and uncharascteristic.No obvious signs of MSA now.

[klazien in reply to silkwood]

Thank you. I was diagnosed with Ataxia ten years ago. Also my sight is very bad. They call it low tension glaucoma because my optic nerves are very bad and there is nothing that can be done about it. I am legally blind and use a wheelchair. So I can't use a blind dog or a white stick.

My left arm has been for many years totally useless because of severe shaking. Also my urinary tablets don't work anymore. Now the specialist is beginning to think of MSA , but I still have no difficulty with blood pressure.

Since you where diagnosed 6 years ago you might still be at the stage of anger. I passed that and don't care anymore. Constant tiredness and my age (70) helps with that