I believe the autoimmune theory for MS has been researched for some 70 yeas now. Despite numerous studies ( far exceeding the 30 you quote) the scientists have still not been able to prove that MS is an autoimmune disease. That in itself is a sad commentary for the theory.I have provided links to over 30 studies from reputable journals on this subject with a summary of what I found significant.
During this same time period, there has been other research involved in MS although nowhere near the level of the automimmune area. We have seen Drs Barnett and Prineas demonstrate massive brain lesion activity with no evidence whatsoever of immune system response. Dr. Hinton Jonez, back in the late 40's and early 50's saw symptom improvement in about 80% of the the MS patients that he treated with IV histamine. Recently we have seen various degrees of symptom improvement with the CCSVI treatment.
And all of this, including the automimmune theory work, proves what? NOTHING! Nobody knows for sure what mechanism actually causes the demylenation in MS patients. All theories without proof. The autoimmune theory people have published the most information because they have had the most funding and most people involved. That doesn't make it any more right than the others. In fact, because they have been at it longer and more intensely than the others, one could say that their direction is more likely to be wrong when it comes to MS.
You have stated that the CCSVI theory is very weak. Is that surprising in view of the fact the research is in its infancy? Hardly.
The results that we have seen with the various drugs and procedures that people have used for MS over the years is all over the map. The vast majority of the data comes from the potent immunosuppressant drugs that have come out of the huge amount research in this area but are the success results much better than other less studied treatments? Quite debatable at least!
So the research using the EAE model, CCSVI theory and perhaps others will continue on. But please don't tell me that the EAE model is the correct way to go. After 70 years of failure when it comes to trying to solve MS, I am one who remains skeptic.
Harry