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FightingMSA.com is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The Two Main Types of MSA
MSA presents differently depending on which brain regions are most affected:
MSA-P (Parkinsonian type)
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Stiffness and rigidity
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Slowness of movement
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Tremor (often minimal or absent)
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Poor response to Parkinson’s medications
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MSA-C (Cerebellar type)
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Severe balance and coordination problems
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Slurred or scanning speech
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Difficulty with fine motor tasks
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Frequent falls early in the disease
Many people experience overlap of both types as the disease progresses.
Atypical Parkinson's Disease
Atypical Parkinsonism is a group of neurological diseases that can look very similar to Parkinson’s disease, especially in their early stages. These include Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). They are sometimes called “Parkinson-plus” disorders because they can cause many of the same symptoms as Parkinson’s—such as stiffness, slowed movement, balance problems, and tremor—while also affecting other parts of the nervous system. Because their symptoms overlap so much, distinguishing one from another can be difficult, particularly early in the disease. Although each condition follows its own course and affects people differently, they are closely related through the movement and neurological problems they cause, which is why awareness of all atypical Parkinsonism disorders is so important.