This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I asked the mssociety about their involvement with CCSVI...

Thank you for your recent inquiry about CCSVI. There has been tremendous interest in this story and we have received numerous calls and e-mails about individuals looking for further information.

First, researchers agree that the first stage in advancing research is to focus in on understanding the prevalence of venous insufficiency in people with MS. This will involve significant use of imaging technologies.

With this in mind, each successful proposal arising from the MS Society’s request for operating grants is eligible for a maximum $100,000/year over two years to study CCSVI and MS. The MS Society has not placed a limit on the number of proposals it might fund.

As well, the funding levels described above do not preclude researchers from submitting additional CCSVI related proposals to the annual research competitions of the MS Society and the MS Society’s related MS Scientific Foundation. There are separate application processes for these larger grants, information can be found here: http://www.mssociety.ca/en/research/researchfunding.htm (see the section that describes the MS Scientific Research Foundation).

Second, it’s worth noting that we created this special grant application process specifically for CCSVI and MS and that we are still funding important research in other areas. This research is directed by Canadian researchers who have dedicated their careers to ending MS. Monies committed to CCSVI will not take away from current funding commitments or from the much-needed services that the MS Society delivers from coast-to-coast. For more information on the MS Society’s funding of research, please view http://www.mssociety.ca/en/research/pdf ... 012dec.pdf

In regards to the report of $4.5 million committed for CCSVI by the Italian MS Society, it is worth clarifying that this amount is for all MS-related research in a given competition year, not just CCSVI. We have confirmed this with our Italian MS Society colleagues.

Kind Regards,