Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a term that was established to simplify the classification of three individually described degenerative syndromes of the central nervous system with overlapping clinical and pathologic manifestations.<sup>11 Graham J.G., Oppenheimer D.R. Orthostatic hypotension and nicotine sensitivity in a case of multiple system atrophy J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1969 ;  32 : 28-34  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 17 Mathias C.J., Williams A.C. The Shy-Drager syndrome (and multiple system atrophy) Neurodegenerative Diseases Philadelphia: WB Saunders (1994).  743-767

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 20 Quinn N. Multiple system atrophy Movement Disorders 3 Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann (1994).  262-281

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 27 Shulman L.M., Weiner W.J. Multiple-system atrophy Movement Disorders, Neurologic Principles and Practice New York: McGraw-Hill (1997).  297-306

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The three previously described clinical syndromes are striatonigral degeneration (SND), olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), and Shy-Drager syndrome (SDS). The three major clinical manifestations of MSA are parkinsonism, ataxia, and autonomic failure. Pathologic correlates for these clinical findings, although not always proportional to the severity of clinical symptoms, are present. This article describes the “nosologic jungle”<sup>21 Quinn N., Wenning G. Multiple system atrophy Br J Hosp Med 1994 ;  51 : 492-494

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> underlying a diagnosis of MSA. Having defined the syndrome, the relevant pathology, clinical manifestations, and treatment are discussed.