NINDS Striatonigral Degeneration Information Page

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Striatonigral Degeneration?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Clinical Trials
Organizations

What is Striatonigral Degeneration?

Striatonigral degeneration is a neurological disorder caused by a disruption in the connection between two areas of the brain-the striatum and the substantia nigra. These two areas work together to enable balance and movement. Striatonigral degeneration is a type of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Symptoms of the disorder resemble some of those seen in Parkinson's disease, including rigidity, instability, impaired speech, and slow movements.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for striatonigral degeneration, and treatments for the disorder have variable success. Treatments used for Parkinson's disease are recommended. However, unlike Parkinson's disease, striatonigral degeneration is not responsive to levodopa. Dopamine and anticholinergics provide some benefit. Generally, treatment is reevaluated as the disorder progresses.

What is the prognosis?

Striatonigral degeneration progresses slowly. Some patients have normal life expectancy.

What research is being done?

The NINDS supports and conducts research on disorders of the brain and nervous system such as striatonigral degeneration. This research focuses on finding ways to prevent and treat these disorders.

NIH Patient Recruitment for Striatonigral Degeneration Clinical Trials

Organizations

Column1	Column2
WE MOVE (Worldwide Education & Awareness for Movement Disorders) 5731 Mosholu Avenue Bronx, NY 10024 wemove@wemove.org http://www.wemove.org Tel: 347-843-6132 Fax: 718-601-5112	National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 55 Kenosia Avenue Danbury, CT 06810 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291
American Parkinson Disease Association 135 Parkinson Avenue Staten Island, NY 10305-1425 apda@apdaparkinson.org http://www.apdaparkinson.org Tel: 718-981-8001 800-223-2732 Young Onset Center: 877-223-3801 Fax: 718-981-4399	National Parkinson Foundation 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue Bob Hope Road Miami, FL 33136-1494 contact@parkinson.org http://www.parkinson.org Tel: 305-243-6666 800-327-4545 Fax: 305-243-5595
Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) 1025 Vermont Ave., NW Suite 1120 Washington, DC 20005 info@parkinsonsaction.org http://www.parkinsonsaction.org Tel: 800-850-4726 202-638-4101 Fax: 202-638-7257	Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) 1359 Broadway Suite 1509 New York, NY 10018 info@pdf.org http://www.pdf.org Tel: 212-923-4700 800-457-6676 Fax: 212-923-4778
Shy-Drager/Multiple System Atrophy Support Group, Inc. 8311 Brier Creek Parkway Suite 105-434 Raleigh, NC 27617 vjames@shy-drager.org or jbiedenharn@shy-drager.org http://www.shy-drager.org Tel: 1-866-737-5999

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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Last updated February 14, 2007