Researchers investigating if people with MS show signs of narrowing of the veins, causing restricted blood flow from the brain (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency), have said they are 'cautiously optimistic' following the release of preliminary results. Read the press release here.
Preliminary results from an ongoing Combined Transcranial and Extracranial Venus Doppler Evaluation study at the University at Buffalo Medical Center aimed at investigating if CCSVI is associated with MS, were released on February 10, 2010. Doppler scan results were reported on five specific criteria that affect venous blood flow. Patients who met at least two of the criteria were considered to have CCSVI. 289 of the 500 patients enrolled had MS. Of these, at least 56.1 percent of the MS cohort met the criteria for CCSVI. The same was true for at least 22.7 percent of the healthy controls and at least 42.5 percent of people with other neurological conditions. The researchers concluded that further blinded studies are needed to determine the prevalence of CCSVI in MS.
To read MSIF's statement on CCSVI and additional coverage by national MS societies click here.
Source: MS Ireland, UK MS Society & US National MS Society
