Senate Resolution 23 Summary

• Proclaims March 2013 as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Awareness Month in Indiana

• Defines MSA as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system and movement with unknown causes and no known cure

• Describes two types of MSA: Parkinsonian (MSA-P) featuring slow movement, stiffness, and tremors, and Cerebellar (MSA-C) featuring swallowing difficulties and speech problems

• Notes that typical survival time after diagnosis is 7 to 9 years, with approximately 80% of patients becoming bedridden or wheelchair dependent within 5 years

• Identifies MSA prevalence at 4.6 cases per 100,000 people, occurring more frequently in men than women