Overview
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare and progressive brain disease that affects many parts of the nervous system at the same time. It is sometimes called Shy-Drager syndrome, striatonigral degeneration, or olivopontocerebellar atrophy — names that were used in the past before doctors understood these were all the same condition. MSA causes a buildup of an abnormal protein called alpha-synuclein inside brain cells, which slowly damages areas of the brain that control movement, balance, and automatic body functions. People with MSA may experience a wide range of symptoms. These include problems with balance and coordination, stiff or slow movements similar to Parkinson's disease, and trouble with automatic body functions like blood pressure, bladder control, and sweating. Symptoms usually begin in a person's 50s or 60s and get worse over time. There is currently no cure for MSA and no treatment that slows the disease down. However, many symptoms can be managed with medications and therapies to improve quality of life. A team of specialists — including neurologists, urologists, and physical therapists — work together to help people live as comfortably as possible. Research into new treatments is ongoing.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Problems with balance and frequent fallsSlow, stiff movements similar to Parkinson's diseaseSlurred or quiet speechDizziness or fainting when standing up (due to low blood pressure)Bladder problems such as urgency, leaking, or difficulty emptying the bladderConstipationReduced or absent sweatingDifficulty swallowingBreathing problems, especially during sleepErectile dysfunction in menTremor (shaking) of the hands or limbsUncoordinated movements and difficulty with fine motor tasksStiff or rigid musclesChanges in handwritingEmotional changes or depression
Clinical phenotype terms (27)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsBiocells Medical — PHASE2
yilong Wang — EARLY_PHASE1
University of Alabama at Birmingham — NA
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
Universidad de Burgos — NA
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital — NA
Valeria Chiu — NA
University Hospital, Bonn — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Multiple system atrophy.
20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Multiple system atrophy.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Multiple system atrophy.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Multiple system atrophy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Observation Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ifosfamide/Mesna in Patients With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Nasal NK Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Shanghai Clinical Cohort - Parkinson's Disease (Reserve)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Natural History Study of Synucleinopathies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: A Study of the Effect of (S)-Pindolol Benzoate (ACM-001.1) on Lean Body Mass (LBM) in Obese Patents During (PROACT 1), and Post-semaglutide Therapy (PROACT 2)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: The STAND-UP Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: [18F]ACI-15916 PET in α-synucleinopathies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Overnight Trials With Heat Stress in Autonomic Failure Patients With Supine Hypertension
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Slowing Cognitive Decline in Alpha-synucleinopathies by Enhancing Physical Activity
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
New recruiting trial: Sporadic Degenerative Ataxia With Adult Onset: Natural History Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multiple system atrophy
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which type of MSA do I have — the movement type (MSA-P) or the balance type (MSA-C) — and what does that mean for my symptoms?,What symptoms should I watch for that would mean I need emergency care?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What can I do right now to stay as mobile and independent as possible?,How should I manage my blood pressure drops, and are there any lifestyle changes that will help?,When should I start thinking about advance care planning and palliative care?,What specialists should be part of my care team, and how often should I see them?
Common questions about Multiple system atrophy
What is Multiple system atrophy?
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare and progressive brain disease that affects many parts of the nervous system at the same time. It is sometimes called Shy-Drager syndrome, striatonigral degeneration, or olivopontocerebellar atrophy — names that were used in the past before doctors understood these were all the same condition. MSA causes a buildup of an abnormal protein called alpha-synuclein inside brain cells, which slowly damages areas of the brain that control movement, balance, and automatic body functions. People with MSA may experience a wide range of symptoms. These include probl
How is Multiple system atrophy inherited?
Multiple system atrophy follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Multiple system atrophy typically begin?
Typical onset of Multiple system atrophy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Multiple system atrophy?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Multiple system atrophy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Multiple system atrophy?
25 specialists and care centers treating Multiple system atrophy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.