Fact 3. Multiple System Atrophy: Subtypes and Variations
MSA is not a monolithic disorder; it’s a condition with diverse manifestations, better understood when we recognize its two primary subtypes – MSA-P (Parkinsonian type) and MSA-C (cerebellar type). Each of these subtypes presents with different symptoms and affects different parts of the brain.
MSA-P, as the name suggests, resembles Parkinson’s disease in many ways, contributing to the diagnosis confusion mentioned earlier. The symptoms largely center around movement and coordination, leading to issues such as bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability. A distinctive feature of MSA-P compared to Parkinson’s disease is the poor response to levodopa, a common medication used in Parkinson’s treatment.
On the other hand, MSA-C is characterized by cerebellar symptoms. The cerebellum is a part of the brain responsible for maintaining balance and coordinating complex voluntary movements. In MSA-C, patients may experience ataxia (lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements), speech difficulties, and issues with eye movements. (3)
