Joseph Fortier

The Joseph Gerard Fortier Fund for Sleep and MSA Research (Platinum) is specifically geared toward supporting promising research into sleep disorders and Multiple System Atrophy. Joe Fortier dedicated more than 25 years in sleep research and patient care before he was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy. Recent research has shown that there is a link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), REM behavior disorder (RBD) and the brain chemistry of MSA patients. Specifically, RBD is regarded as a likely early sign of MSA and possibly other synucleinopathies, a group of disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein proteins in brain cells. Thus, detecting sleep problems could be a step toward earlier diagnoses. As a special tribute to Joe, as the founding inspiration for Defeat MSA Alliance, the Joseph Fortier Sleep and MSA Research Fund was established by Joe’s extended family.  Please help clinicians explore this promising new research into the sleep-MSA connection by donating to this special research fund!