Parkinson's and multi-systemic atrophy (AMS) are two neurological diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in some areas of the central nervous system (CNS).
To be more precise, in Parkinson 's neurodegeneration affects in particular the so-called substantia nigra (or Sommering black substance ), located at the basal ganglia, between midbrain and diencephalon.
One of the main functions of the substantia nigra is the production of dopamine ; dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter for motor activity, since it allows harmonious and fine execution of movements.
In multi-system atrophy, however, neurodegeneration involves different areas of the CNS: basal ganglia (hence substantia nigra ), cerebellum and brainstem .
From the symptomatological point of view, Parkinson's disease and multi systemic atrophy are very similar, as they determine the same alterations at the motor level.
Moreover, in both cases, the basal ganglia are involved and the normal production of dopamine is impaired.
In the diagnostic field, this similarity could represent a problem, but doctors, in recent years, have succeeded in identifying some distinctive elements for both pathologies .
Let's see what it is:
- In multi systemic atrophy, symptoms progress much faster than in the case of Parkinson's.
- Especially in the early stages of the disease, patients with AMS are more prone to falls than those with Parkinson's.
- Patients with AMS do not respond to levodop a, which is rather effective in the case of Parkinson's disease.
- The AMS severely alters the capabilities of languages o; the same cannot be said for Parkinson's disease, in which the properties of language are compressed in a less marked manner and usually towards the final stages of the disease.
- AMS sufferers are breathing heavily, especially at night. Among individuals with Parkinson's this disorder is not present.
