Brain Matters

JUNE 2009

"Prospective differentiation of multiple system atrophy from Parkinson disease, with and without autonomic failure."
This study out of Mayo Rochester compares 52 MSA patients and 29 PD patients with autonomic failure.  Researchers found that:  "Autonomic indices were highly significantly more abnormal in MSA than PD."  These indices included the
* Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale
* Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale
* thermoregulatory sweat test
* plasma catecholamines

"These differences were sustained and greater at 1-year follow-up, indicating a greater rate of progression of dysautonomia in MSA than PD."

One example given in the abstract:  in MSA, 57.4% experienced anhidrosis (lack of sweating) versus 9.9% in PD.

The authors' "ongoing conclusion is that autonomic function tests can separate MSA from PD."

Read the abstract

**Bill** I want to link the previous line to pubmed.gov, ID # 19506134...can you do that for me? **

MAY 2009

"Recent developments in multiple system atrophy."
This terrific review article was written by Drs. Gregor Wenning and Nadia Stefanova.  Dr. Wenning is an Austrian-based MSA expert.  He is the leader of the European MSA Support Group.

Read the abstract

** Bill ** I want to link the previous line to PubMed ID# 19471850 **

Read some excerpts and highlights