Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is
a rare neurodegenerative disorder without a cure, and every patient’s
experience with MSA is different. UT Southwestern Medical Center specialists
offer expert, holistic approaches to managing MSA’s symptoms, as well as
support to help patients understand what to expect from the disease and its treatments.
Each symptom is treated
separately, with the goal of allowing patients to continue their everyday
activities for as long as possible. Any combination of the following treatments
might be used.
Medications
Medications used for Parkinson’s
disease, such as carbidopa-levodopa and amantadine, can provide relief of
muscle rigidity, slowness, and other motor symptoms, as long as they do not
cause side effects. These medications are not as effective for MSA as they are
for Parkinson’s disease.
Medication might also be used to
treat:
- Bladder dysfunction
- Blood
pressure fluctuation
- Dystonia (involuntary
muscle contractions)
- REM behavior
disorder (acting out dreams when asleep)
- Mood
disorders
Physical Therapy
UT Southwestern’s neurorehabilitation program,
which includes physical, speech, and occupational therapy, can ease symptoms and
help patients maintain as much motor and muscle capacity as possible as MSA
progresses. Therapists also provide family members with information to help
them be part of the patient’s successful rehabilitation.
A speech-language pathologist can help treat voice, speech, drooling, and swallowing problems.
Other Treatments for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Depending on a patient’s needs,
evaluation and treatment might be performed by specialists from a range of other
disciplines, such as:
- Autonomic
experts
- Cardiovascular
physicians
- Nutritionists
- Otolaryngologists
- Palliative
care physicians
- Sleep
specialists
- Pulmonary
specialists
- Urologists
The team at the UT Southwestern
Movement Disorders Clinic helps coordinate these specialty services and follows
up with patients with MSA and their caregivers throughout the course of the
illness.
