Historical review

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by parkinsonian, cerebellar, dysautonomic and pyramidal features in any combination. Predominant features may change over time, and all of them might become manifest as the disease progresses. The historical roots of MSA date back to the early twentieth century, but reflecting the disease protean clinical presentation, it took almost a century for a definite nosological and pathological definition of MSA to be developed.