This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Massive study disputes Zamboni theory of multiple sclerosis

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"David Hafler, professor and chair of the neurology department at the Yale School of Medicine, said it’s “shameful” so much attention and investment is being placed on an idea that is simply not true in light of findings about the immunological roots of the disease."

Here are two quotes from the article, can you spot the discrepancy?

Indeed, that looks quite bad. It's either mis-quoted or poorly-written. The first quote should have said “We now know the [disease mechanism] of MS. It’s no longer a mystery,” said Dr. Hafler, who was involved with the new study." That would have un-conflicted the two quotes and made them correct in relation to each other.

But let's move on to some other articles along the same subject:

Concerns about controversial MS [CCSVI] treatment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12637191

". . . . . seven published studies by independent researchers have failed to back up Zamboni's findings. . . . Some of those research teams have suggested that what he interpreted as abnormalities were in fact normal and harmless anatomical variations found in everyone."

No Link Between MS, Narrow Blood Vessels, Study Says

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/0 ... tudy-says/

"A new study provides more evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) is not caused by a blood vessel condition [CCSVI], as some research has suggested. . . . Based on those findings, Marder's group said MS patients should not undergo surgery to open up those blood vessels."

New Studies Question 'Venous Congestion' as a Trigger for Multiple Sclerosis

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. . . . . These 2 papers should add a note of caution for MS patients and physicians who are contemplating interventions for possible venous abnormalities based on the findings of Zamboni. . . . . . .

. . . . . "Our results call into question the existence of CCSVI in a large proportion of patients with MS," said Dr. Doepp. "We did not find supporting evidence that cerebral venous congestion plays a significant role in the development of MS. . . . .

. . . . . A second study by researchers at Umeå University in Sweden also concluded that CCSVI does not contribute to the development of MS. . . . . "Our study found no support for using endovascular procedures such as angioplasty or stenting to treat MS patients," Dr. Sundström affirmed. . . . . .

MS genetic discovery casts doubt on [CCSVI] vein theory

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/201108 ... em-110811/

"It is now clear that multiple sclerosis is primarily an immunological disease. This has important implications for future treatment strategies.". . . The findings also cast doubt on the recent theory proposed by Italian vascular surgeon Dr. Paolo Zamboni that MS is related to blocked neck veins.

Studies Cast Doubt on New MS [CCSVI] theory (WSJ)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... %3Darticle

Doctor Challenges Cause Of MS And Treatment

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/31/133247319 ... -treatment

"Meanwhile in Buffalo, Zivadinov says his research on CCSVI already shows a clear picture emerging. "CCSVI is not the cause of MS but might be a consequence or a contributing factor to progression, and I think that has to be studied," Zivadinov says."

http://www.ejves.com/article/S1078-5884 ... 2/abstract

Perhaps Dr. Hafler is prone to over-stating things.

Or whomever wrote the article messed up.

Naw I think Cece had it right - these charlatans desperate to disprove CCSVI like Dr. Hafner are prone to error. I think Dr. Hafner did a well enough job of discrediting his own research by mentioning Zamboni at all and especially by spouting off about CCSVI hysteria. Fail.

I didn't see where the results of their study justified saying that CCSVI is bogus or that it doesn't warrant further study with respect to MS symptoms. Interestingly, they say that their research shows that MS is "clearly" an immunological disease that is somehow triggered by some unknown environmental factors... but yet somehow they "know" that it couldn't be CCSVI that does the triggering because.... well just because! What amazing researchers... that can speak out of both sides of their mouths at the same time!

Their research could be right on, and that still doesn't negate the potential value of knowing what part CCSVI may have to play in this. By saying what they said, it makes me suspicious of their motives and the validity of the entire piece of work (or at least the validity of ther conclusions). After all, it wouldn't be the first time that researchers have excitedly proclaimed that they have the answer, only to realize later that they misunderstood the question.
...Ted

_________________
Dx SPMS in 2004.  Liberated 29/04/2010.
My blog: www.my-darn-ms.blogspot.com

I can't help but think ..... how much Professor Zamboni's CCSVI discovery has benefitted so many pwMS , in so many ways.
Big Pharm seems to be running scared. Oral MS drugs ........ suddenly ..... almost overnight ..... appeared on the market.
Do you think this would have happened if Dr.Zamboni's research had not appeared ? I think not.
And just as sudden ......... a large gene study has been produced . The search for the root cause of MS ...... autoimmunity ...... and the need to
" get on & keep on " MS drugs ....... to combat the autoimmunity ......
I wonder who funded that ?
Whether you accept or reject the autoimmune theory is of no interest to Mr.Success at this time ........ that will be answered in time.
What is being answered TODAY ..... is that many pwMS are responding quite well to having their blood flow restored to normal.
Life often gives the Test first....... then follows up with the lesson.
well ....... that's often been Mr.Success' experience
...... I couldn't be a failure ....even if I tried .... 'cause you .....make ..me
Mr.Success