Multisystem atrophy
Multisystem atrophy is one of the Parkinson plus syndromes, and is characterised by the three cardinal features of:-
It presents in one of three ways:-
Macroscopic features include:-
Microscopic features include:-
- Parkinsonism
- Autonomic failure
- Cerebellar ataxia
It presents in one of three ways:-
- Shy-Drager Syndrome (mainly autonomic features)
- Striatonigral degeneration (mainly Parkinson features)
- Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (mainly cerebellar features)
Macroscopic features include:-
- Pallor of substantia nigra
- Greenish discolouration and atrophy of the putamen
- Cerebellar atrophy
Microscopic features include:-
- Papp-Lantos bodies (alpha-synuclein inclusions in oligodendrocytes found in the substantia nigra, cerebellum, and basal ganglia)
