Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple System Atrophy

MSA is quite rare. Only 2 to 5 people in every 100,000 have this condition. The disease damages three key brain areas: the basal ganglia controls movement and learning, the brainstem manages breathing and heart rate, and the cerebellum coordinates balance and movement.

Inside the brain, MSA causes a protein called alpha-synuclein to build up abnormally in brain cells, particularly in oligodendrocytes. This leads to ongoing cell damage and neuronal degeneration. Doctors split MSA into two main types based on the main symptoms: MSA-P (multiple system atrophy parkinsonian type) and MSA-C (cerebellar type).

Common symptoms and progression

MSA symptoms get worse as time goes on. Each type shows different signs, but both affect the body's automatic functions, leading to autonomic dysfunction.

MSA-P patients deal with symptoms like Parkinson's disease, exhibiting Parkinsonism. Their muscles become stiff, balance gets poor, movements slow down, and some develop tremors. MSA-C patients face different challenges. They struggle with coordination, walking becomes difficult, they fall often, and their speech turns slurry, indicating cerebellar ataxia.

Both types share several serious nervous system problems:

• Orthostatic hypotension, causing dizziness and fainting when standing up due to blood pressure drops
• Urinary dysfunction and loss of bowel control
• Sexual problems
• Sleep issues, including REM sleep behavior disorder and sleep apnea
• Problems controlling body temperature

MSA progresses faster than Parkinson's disease. Most patients need walking aids within a few years. People live about 7.5 to 9.8 years after symptoms start, though each case differs. The disease hits people's quality of life hard. Most patients say mobility becomes their biggest challenge.

Later stages bring more severe motor symptoms that affect daily life. Swallowing becomes harder, which might lead to pneumonia. On top of that, many patients develop depression and anxiety, making life even tougher.

Limitations of conventional treatments

We don't have a cure for MSA yet, and current treatments can't slow down or stop the disease. Doctors focus on symptomatic management to keep patients comfortable and independent for as long as possible.

Available medications include:

• Levodopa (a Parkinson's drug) might help with movement briefly, but its effects fade
• Blood pressure medications like fludrocortisone, midodrine, or droxidopa
• Specific treatments for bladder problems, erectile issues, or sleep disorders

These treatments become less helpful as the disease progresses. Standard care doesn't meet all patient needs, so many look for other options.

Patients need help from many specialists. Neurologists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists work together to provide complete care. This team approach helps with symptoms but can't change how the disease develops.

The limits of current treatments push many families to explore new options. They look into emerging treatments like stem cell therapy, hoping to find something that might change the disease's course instead of just easing symptoms.