title: Intrathecal baclofen therapy slows progressive disability in multiple system atrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the benefit of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy on function, quality of life, and progression in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on three MSA patients at different stages treated with ITB therapy. MSA patients were staged using Watanabe et al. ADL milestones for disease progression and by scales for tone (modified Ashworth scale) ambulation (Hauser ambulation index) and disability (expanded disability status scale)
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three patients had an improvement in the modified Ashworth scale and none had progression in their disability or ambulatory outcomes and did not progress as predicted by Watanabe et al.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that ITB can maintain (or improve function) and maintain quality of life in patients with MSA. ITB is currently not indicated for patients with MSA but should be studied further for the quality of life benefits and delay in disease progression it potentially provides.
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. anita.madan@uth.tmc.edu
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Madan
authors: Mya C
authors: MC
authors: Schiess
mesh_terms: D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen