Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) often present as akinetic-rigid syndromes and in the early stages are difficult to differentiate in the clinic. Current Consensus Diagnostic Criteria based on retrospective studies have high specificity but low sensitivity. The NNIPPS study is an EU-funded multinational (France, UK, Germany) multi-centre academic-led project with four main aims. The first aim is to test the hypothesis that riluzole, which may have generic neuroprotective properties, reduces the risk of death and improves function and quality of life (QL) in patients with MSA and PSP- ‘parkinson’s plus syndromes’. The second aim is to identify prognostic factors for survival and functional deterioration, and to develop and validate functional rating scales prospectively. The third aim is to investigate MRI, cognitive, pathological and genetic aspects of these disorders in relation to disease progression and pathogenesis. The fourth aim is to understand the impact of these diseases on the QL of patients and carers and to identify the health costs of treatment.