swiss medicaMultiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurological brain disorder. It deteriorates parts of the brain, disrupting the patient’s movement. MSA also affects the body’s automatic processes, such as breathing, blood pressure, and digestion. There are various methods for supporting brain functions. MSA treatment with stem cells has yielded promising results.
This article will review the indications and contraindications of stem cell therapy for MSA to assist patients in making informed decisions.
What Are the Types of MSA?
Multiple system atrophy is a rare neurological disease that causes deterioration in specific brain areas related to the body’s involuntary actions. Over time, degenerative changes in the brain impair functions such as urinal urgency, walking and standing balance, and vocal changes.
MSA has a high mortality rate. It is usually fatal within 10 years, though the life expectancy may be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the symptoms and the treatment received.
MSA is classified into two types based on the specific set of symptoms. Some of them include:
- MSA with prominent Cerebellar Features (MSA-C). This type of MSA affects the cerebellum. As a result, the patient’s ability to coordinate movements is compromised, resulting in ataxia. While ataxia is the most prominent feature of MSA-C, some patients develop autonomic dysfunction and are at high risk of falling.
- MSA with prominent Parkinsonian features (MSA-P). Patients with this form of MSA experience symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease or the Parkinsonian family of movement disorders. Parkinsonism is usually more prominent in the initial stage of the disease. Autonomic features, such as ataxia, may develop later on.
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What Are the Causes of MSA?
MSA is a rare condition that affects people of all ethnicities and genders. Although the cause of MSA is unknown, a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors are thought to contribute to its onset and progression.
It occurs as a result of the buildup of a protein called alpha-synuclein in specialized cells in the brain called glia that support the activities of the nerve cells. The deposition of alpha-synuclein typically occurs in a type of glial cell that makes myelin, a sheath covering the nerve cells.
The myelin sheath and glial cells play a key role in sending electrical signals through the nerves. The deposition of alpha-synuclein in these tissues is one of the things that is thought to cause multiple systems to shrink in people with MSA.
In addition, certain genetic variants are also believed to influence the risk of MSA. Some genes related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and Parkinson’s disease might increase the risk of MSA in individuals with a family history.
What Are the Symptoms of MSA?
Common symptoms of MSA include:
Autonomic dysfunctions
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Difficulty controlling the bladder, resulting in urinary incontinence
- Difficulty controlling bowel movement results in fecal incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction
- REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder
- Anhidrosis (reduced sweating)
- Dry mouth
- Vision problems
- Slowed digestion
- Constipation
Cognitive and emotional symptoms
- Anxiety or depression
- Panic attacks
- Emotional instability, marked by crying or laughing without any apparent reason
- Tendency for self-harm or suicide
Movement-related symptoms (MSA-P)
- Clumsy or poorly controlled movements of the hands and legs
- Action tremor, or shaking that becomes worse when trying to use the affected parts
- Taking unusually wide steps while walking
- Unclear speaking or mumbling
- Jerky and uncontrolled Eye movements (nystagmus)
- Slow movements (bradykinesia)
- Stiffness or rigidity when moving
- Frequent incidences of falling while walking
How to Diagnose MSA?
MSA is especially difficult to diagnose in its early stages because the symptoms are similar to those of other movement disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease.
The medical and family history of the patient and the complete neurological examination can often help raise the suspicion of MSA in most cases. Some tests that can help point to the diagnosis of MSA include:
- Autonomic testing, such as heart rate and blood pressure control
- Assessment of bowel or bladder function
- Neuroimaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging to detect the changes suggestive of MSA
- Positron emission tomography scans to monitor metabolic function in the affected parts of the brain
- Dopamine transporter scans to assess the activity or distribution of dopamine in the brain
How Can Stem Cell Therapy Be Effective?
Stem cell treatment for MSA is expected to slow down or delay the progression of damage to the affected brain areas. This might help to prevent further neurological deficits associated with MSA-C and restore normal movements to some extent in patients with MSA-P.
What Does Our Treatment Program at Swiss Medica Clinic Include?
Our stem cell treatment for MSA includes an assessment of your symptoms to determine the extent and severity of neuronal damage. This will help our doctors determine whether stem cell therapy would be suitable for you.
The treatment involves retrieving stem cells from the donor’s body and infusing them into the patient’s body. The stem cells infused into the patient’s body help regenerate new nerve cells and reduce inflammation induced by the deposition of alpha-synuclein. This way MSA treatment with stem cells can benefit the affected brain areas and correct neuronal deficits.
Here are more details that will make your treatment process at our clinic more comfortable and efficient:
- Free pre-treatment consultation with our doctors to discuss potential benefits of the therapy for your condition;
- Personalized MSA treatment with stem cells plan tailored to your therapy goals and needs;
- Comfortable hotel-like setting at the clinic with friendly staff;
- Wide choice of stem cell types and delivery methods for greater efficiency;
- In-house lab which ensures fresh live stem cells;
- Compliance to strict guidelines and the highest standards of safety;
- Post-treatment care and follow-ups to monitor treatment progress.
Indications and Contraindications for Stem Cell Therapy
MSA stem cell treatment is indicated when the patient has developed mild to moderate neural deficit.
Mesenchymal stem cells can protect the brain against further neuronal loss by reducing polyamine-induced neural damage. Polyamines have been shown to enhance the aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Treatment with stem cells may help to reverse this pathogenesis and restore brain function.
Safety Issues & Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for MSA
MSA treatment with stem cells is safe and has no known serious side effects, as it involves infusing stem cells retrieved from the donor’s body into the patient’s body.
What Type of Improvements Can I Expect from Stem Cell Therapy?
MSA stem cell treatment can slow the progression of neurological deficits. This has the potential to significantly improve MSA symptoms. It might provide relief from bowel and bladder incontinence, reduce movement dysfunction, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for MSA
The cost of stem cell therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms and the extent of neuronal damage in the brain. The price ranges from €7,000 to €31,000*. You can speak with our experts at the Swiss Medica Clinic free of charge to learn more about the cost, indications, contraindications, and expected results of MSA treatment with stem cells.
*The prices mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on individual factors, including the condition’s severity and the number of stem cells needed. Prices are valid as of January 2025.
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You can contact our Medical Advisor to find out about the expected results of stem cell treatment according to your case, its cost, duration, and some other details.
Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor
List of References
Fanciulli, A., Stankovic, I., Krismer, F., Seppi, K., Levin, J., & Wenning, G. K. (2019). Multiple system atrophy. International review of neurobiology, 149, 137–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.irn.2019.10.004
Claassen D. O. (2022). Multiple System Atrophy. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 28(5), 1350–1363. https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000001154
Stankovic, I., Fanciulli, A., Sidoroff, V., & Wenning, G. K. (2023). A Review on the Clinical Diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy. Cerebellum (London, England), 22(5), 825–839. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12311-022-01453-w
Lee, P. H., Lee, J. E., Kim, H. S., Song, S. K., Lee, H. S., Nam, H. S., Cheong, J. W., Jeong, Y., Park, H. J., Kim, D. J., Nam, C. M., Lee, J. D., Kim, H. O., & Sohn, Y. H. (2012). A randomized trial of mesenchymal stem cells in multiple system atrophy. Annals of neurology, 72(1), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.23612
Candelise, N., Schmitz, M., Thüne, K., Cramm, M., Rabano, A., Zafar, S., Stoops, E., Vanderstichele, H., Villar-Pique, A., Llorens, F., & Zerr, I. (2020). Effect of the micro-environment on α-synuclein conversion and implication in seeded conversion assays. Translational neurodegeneration, 9, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-019-0181-9
Park, K. R., Hwang, C. J., Yun, H. M., Yeo, I. J., Choi, D. Y., Park, P. H., Kim, H. S., Lee, J. T., Jung, Y. S., Han, S. B., & Hong, J. T. (2020). Prevention of multiple system atrophy using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by reducing polyamine and cholesterol-induced neural damages. Stem cell research & therapy, 11(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-020-01590-1
MD, Pediatrician, Regenerative Medicine Specialist
