Multiple System Atrophy / Edition 1

by Gregor K. Wenning, Alessandra Fanciulli

Overview

This textbook provides a comprehensive monography on multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that presents with autonomic failure and either parkinsonism (MSA-P) or cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C).The underlying neuropathology of MSA is characterized by striatonigral degeneration (SND), olivoponerebellar atrophy (OPCA) and unique oligodendroglial cytoplasmic alpha-synuclein inclusions. MSA is therefore classified among the alpha-synucleinopathies such as Parkinson‘s disease, pure autonomic failure and dementia with Lewy bodies. Over the last decade there have been important advances in early diagnosis, pathogenesis research and clinical trial activity. The monography will cover the entire spectrum ranging from molecular and genetic work to symptomatic and interventional therapies. The book is written for movement disorder clinicians and basic neuroscientists interested in degenerative movement disorders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783709106860
Publisher:	Springer Vienna
Publication date:	09/14/2013
Edition description:	2014
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Professor Gregor K. Wenning graduated from Münster University in 1991. He trained in Neurology at the University Hospitals of Tübingen, London and Innsbruck. He started his scientific career at the Institute of Neurology in London where he performed a series of clinicopathological and experimental studies on multiple system atrophy (MSA). He received a PhD from the University of London in 1996. Since 1999 he has served as Consultant Neurologist and Assistant Professor at the Parkinson Centre of the Department of Neurology at the Medical University Innsbruck. In 2006 he became a full Professor at the Medical University of Innsbruck and head of the newly created Division of Clinical Neurobiology devoted exclusivley to MSA research. Together with Professor Werner Poewe he initiated the European MSA Study Group in 1999. EMSA-SG generated the first validated assessment tool for MSA (Unified MSA Rating Scale – UMSARS), it also conducted a large natural history study in 12 European countries and Israel, and currently performs genomic studies as well as phase II intervention trials. Professor Wenning has published more than 200 original papers, reviews and invited book chapters on MSA and related parkinsonian disorders. He was a member of the German Scholarship Foundation, fellow of the UK Parkinson‘s Disease Society, first recipient of the Birkmayer prize in 1998 and also first recipient of the Oppenheimer prize in 2004 for recognition of his work on MSA.

Dr. Alessandra Fanciulli graduated with distinction from the Sapienza University of Rome in 2010. She started her scientific career in Rome working on cardiovascular autonomic failure in neurodegenerative diseases. Since 2012 she has been a clinical research fellow at the Division of Neurobiology, Innsbruck Medical University and currently performs clinical research projects on multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease. In 2013 Dr. Fanciulli was awarded with the research prizes of the LIMPE - Lega italiana per la lotta contro la malattia di Parkinson and ÖPG - Österreichische Parkinson Gesellschaft.

Table of Contents

1. Historical Review.- 2. Epidemiology.- 3. Neuropathology.- 4. Etiopathogenesis.- 5. Animal Models.- 6. Clinical Presentation.- 7. Clinical diagnostic Criteria.- 8. Natural History.- 9. Investigations.- 10. Tratment.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Pawel Tacik, MD (Mayo Clinic Florida)
Description: In 10 chapters, this book summarizes what is currently known about multiple system atrophy.
Purpose: The purpose is to present all aspects of multiple system atrophy, including clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria, neuropathological findings, and molecular and genetic results. This book also discusses etiopathological concepts, animal models, symptomatic and interventional therapies, and provides an outlook on future investigations. It is both an excellent monograph of multiple system atrophy and an ideal source of reference.
Audience: The intended audience is both neurology clinicians and neuroscientists who specialize in degenerative movement disorders, but the book also may serve as an additional source of reference for general neurologists or any physicians involved in the treatment of patients with these disorders.
Features: The book is clearly structured and comprehensive. Although most chapters are written by different authors, the book maintains a consistent style. Each chapter deals with one aspect of multiple system atrophy, and is introduced by a table of contents followed by an abstract. The tables and diagrams accentuate the most important issues, and a wide selection of neuropathological, radiological, and electrophysiological illustrations help readers better understand the underlying etiopathological processes of the disease. However, more figures showing clinical signs would better illustrate the complexity of the presentations. Finally, a long reference list at the end of each chapter enables easy access to the essential publications.
Assessment: This book definitely accomplishes its aims. Since it comprises what is currently known about multiple system atrophy, degenerative movement disorder neurologists and neuroscientists should consider this a valuable resource for their clinical practice and research.

Doody's Review Service

From the reviews:

“This book summarizes what is currently known about multiple system atrophy. … The indented audience is both neurology clinicians and neuroscientists who specialize in degenerative movement disorders, but the book also may serve as an additional source of reference for general neurologists or any physicians involved in the treatment of patients with these disorders. … Since it comprises what is currently known about multiple system atrophy, degenerative movement disorder neurologists and neuroscientists should consider this a valuable resource for their clinical practice and research.” (Pawel Tacik, Doody’s Book Reviews, January, 2014)

From the Publisher