Research Section Hub – Multiple System Atrophy Trust (original) (raw)

The MSA Trust is the principal funder in the UK of innovative and ground breaking research into Multiple System Atrophy. Every research project we fund is one step closer to our goal to find the cure for MSA.
Find out more below…

How to get involved

Find out what studies are open and how to get involved in research…

Take part in a study

Research News

Much of the MSA Trust funded research has been used in published papers around the world. It has led to the development of treatment therapies and further research into the different stages of MSA disease progression. In this section we will keep you up to date with new publications and blogs about research development.

Watch our interview with Professor John Hardy & Professor Clare Fowler

Research Timeline

Shy-Drager Syndrome Identified

First clinical description of Multiple System Atrophy (Shy, Drager).

Multiple System Atrophy descriptor

Used to describe the different clinical forms (Graham and Oppenheimer).

Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusions (GCIs)

GCIs identified as neuropathological signature of MSA (Papp, Lantos) 1st MSA diagnostic criteria published (Quinn).

A new charity is established

In May The Autonomic Disorders Association the Sarah Matheson Trust (SMT) registers as a charity to provide info and help to anyone suffering from MSA, together with their carers. In 2010 the name changed to Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust).

Research Advisory Panel

The MSA Trust Research Advisory Panel (RAP) is formed: Sir Roger Bannister is appointed Chair.

α-synuclein identified

As a constituent of GCIs (Spillantini) 1st MSA consensus statement on diagnosis (Gilman, Low et al).

European MSA Study Group

founded by Wenning and Poewe.

Funding for a joint fellowship

RAP approves funding for a joint fellowship at St Mary’s Hospital.

Quality Of Life Survey

A one year grant for a ‘Quality of Life’ survey of people with MSA and their carers awarded to Dr Anette Schrag, Institute of Neurology, UCL. Click here to learn more

Unified MSA Rating Scale published (Wenning)

Study of p25a in GCI

A one-year grant for ‘The role of p25a in Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusion’ awarded to Prof Tamas Revesz and Dr Janice Holton, UCL Institute of Neurology. Click here to learn more

A genetic study into MSA

A three-year grant for ‘Comprehensive characterisation of those genetic risk factors that predispose to the development of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and those that lead to predominantly the parkinsonian, cerebellar and/or autonomic features in this disorder’ to Professor Henry Houlden, Consultant Neurologist, at National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCL. Click here to learn more

2nd MSA consensus diagnostic criteria published (Gilman et al)

The role of Oligodendroglia in MSA

A two-year grant for ‘Central Role of Oligodendroglia in pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy’ to Dr Janice Holton, Honorary Consultant and Reader in Neuropathology at UCL. Click here to learn more

First drug trials in MSA begin (Bensimon; Dodel)

Studying the Alpha-synuclein filaments in MSA

A one-year grant for ‘Testing a prion like strain concept for the alpha-synuclein filaments in glial cytoplasmic inclusions of multiple system atrophy’ awarded to Dr Shahin Zibaee. Click here to learn more

Structural & Metabolic Correlates study in MSA

A two-year grant for ‘A study of structural and metabolic correlates of neurophysiological dysfunction in patients with MSA and IPD’ to Dr Chris Kobylecki, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Neurology, University of Manchester

Studying Neuroinflammation in MSA

A two-year grant for ‘Neuroinflammation in multiple system atrophy: A neuropathological study’ to Dr Janice Holton at UCL Institute of Neurology

The Role of CoQ2 in MSA

A two-year grant for ‘The role of CoQ2 in multiple system atrophy’ awarded to Dr Janice Holton at UCL Institute of Neurology.

European MSA natural history study published (Wenning)

Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP)