Multiple System Atrophy Diagnosis
At this time, there are no specific symptoms, blood tests or imaging studies that distinguish MSA. Instead, doctors rely on a combination of symptom history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to evaluate the motor system, coordination, and autonomic function to arrive at a probable diagnosis.
Despite the diagnostic challenge MSA poses, recent research has yielded promising results in ways that may help unravel the causes and detection of this disease. Medical technology such as functional MRI (fMRI) measures activity levels in the brain and can demonstrate areas of impaired brain function.
Additionally, by applying sensitive pattern recognition techniques to certain MRI studies, medical science is increasingly differentiating the early signs of MSA from Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic conditions with greater accuracy.
New studies are also finding that a particular type of lipid-transporting molecule important for production of myelin might be faulty in MSA patients and that evaluating this molecule, known as ABCA8, could provide a causative explanation and a screening tool for MSA.
MSA - What You Need to Know
- MSA Overview
- Types and Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment of MSA
- Prognosis and Outlook
- Differential Diagnosis
- Evaluation Methods
- Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH)
- Neurogenic Bladder
- MSA-P (Parkinsonian)
- MSA-C (Cerebellar Ataxia)
- Dystonia
- Breathing Disorders
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
- Depression and Cognitive Impairment
- Constipation
- Neuroprotective Diet
- Advanced Planning
- What is the ANS
- History of MSA
- Glossary
For all references listed in the About MSA section please download the MSA Coalition's "MSA - What You Need to Know"
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