CCSVI MS Research at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, already recognized internationally for its research excellence, is about to undertake an unprecedented research study focusing on a possible contributory factor in the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS).Recently, Dr. Paolo Zamboni, a researcher from the University of Ferrara in Italy hypothesized that the auto-immune disorder that underlies MS may be coincident with poor venous drainage from the brain. This vascular abnormality is referred to as Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency may aid the leakage of iron molecules into brain tissue and facilitate the chronic injurious process that underlies the development of MS.
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is launching a CCSVI MS Research Study to critically examine Dr. Zamboni's hypothesis. A case-controlled study has been designed that will utilize highly sophisticated imaging equipment and techniques to see inside the brain of MS patients and allow for the mapping of their venous architecture. The study will take about 12 months to complete and will involve 100 MS patients and an equal number of age and gender matched normal healthy subjects.
The CCSVI MS Research Study has three main objects: to evaluate the prevalence of cerebrospinal venous abnormalities in patients with MS and compare them to those of the healthy patients not suffering from MS; to demonstrate and quantify the iron deposits of both groups and seek a correlation to their clinical states and to validate MRI and ultrasound tests for reliability, reproducibility and objectivity in the assessment of cerebrospinal abnormalities.
The results of this study hold tremendous hope for those living with MS. If there is a relationship determined between the restricted blood flow from the brain and the prevalence of MS, the next step could be the development of a surgical vascular procedure to provide relief of some of the symptoms of the disease and possibly slow down, or even arrest, its advancement. There could finally be hope for those living with MS.
Thank you for your interest in CCSVI MS Research. Please consider making a donation today!
Links:
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton - CCSVI MS Research information
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