Clinical neurophysiology of multiple system atrophy

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult-onset, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative syndrome. The diagnosis of MSA is primarily clinical. Neurophysiologic studies can provide important clues to the diagnosis of MSA and differentiate it from other neurodegenerative diseases especially when the clinical picture is unclear. This chapter reviews common and less common neurophysiological studies useful in the diagnosis of MSA.

Keywords: Accelerometric recording; Autonomic testing; Multiple system atrophy; Neuroendorcrine tesing; Prepulse inhibition; Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test; Sphincter electromyography; Thermoregulatory sweat testing.