Dr. Catherine Shaffer

Feature Writer

Ph.D

Life Sciences, Cell Biology

Catherine Shaffer is a freelance science and health writer from Michigan. She has written for a wide variety of trade and consumer publications on life sciences topics, particularly in the area of drug discovery and development. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and began her career as a laboratory researcher before transitioning to science writing. She also writes and publishes fiction, and in her free time enjoys yoga, biking, and taking care of her pets.

Articles from Catherine

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple System Atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects involuntary body functions such as blood pressure and heart rate as well as movement. It is similar to Parkinson's disease, with onset around 50 years of age and a rapidly advancing course of disease over 5 to 10 years. In the late stages, pneumonia and sudden death are common. MSA affects about 15,000 to 50,000 people in the US.

10 Aug 2016

How is Multiple System Atrophy Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of MSA can be challenging because its initial symptoms resemble those of other diseases.

10 Aug 2016

Causes of Multiple System Atrophy

The fundamental cause of multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a loss of oligodendroglial and neuronal cells in the brain and central nervous system. The loss of cells is gradual and progressive, leading to slowly worsening symptoms.

10 Aug 2016

Multiple System Atrophy Treatment

People with multiple system atrophy (MSA) generally have a very poor prognosis. Their median survival is 6.2 to 9.5 years after the first symptoms appear. Patients who are older at the time of onset tend to have a shorter survival time. There are no therapies that cure or alter the disease or slow its progress, but there are many treatments available which may alleviate the symptoms of MSA.

10 Aug 2016