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A buildup of sodium in the brain detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be a biomarker for the degeneration of nerve cells that occurs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

The study found that patients with early-stage MS showed sodium accumulation in specific brain regions, while patients with more advanced disease showed sodium accumulation throughout the whole brain.

Sodium buildup in motor areas of the brain correlated directly to the degree of disability seen in the advanced-stage patients.

"A major challenge with multiple sclerosis is providing patients with a prognosis of disease progression," said Patrick Cozzone, Ph.D., director emeritus of the Center for Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine, a joint unit of National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille University in Marseille, France. ... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1327

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Would the sodium build up in the brain be caused by improper circulation...like that involved with CCSVI?

I don't suppose theres an easy way to get rid of it?

Good catch, Harry! It could be. I wrote about it on FB. We see the same build up of sodium ions in venous disease.

Acute venous congestion releases sodium ions into the blood stream. A compromised blood brain barrier would allow these ions to infiltrate brain tissue.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7143701
and Budd Chiari, a disease of hepatic congestion which destroys the liver, shows a build up of sodium ions. Release of sodium ions is an indicator of venous disease.

cheer

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Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

That doesn't make any sense at all. Why would sodium be more likely to build up than any other element dissolved in the blood?

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RRMS dx 3/3/11; Copaxone since 12/1/11

Sodium ions are released in edema, Mark---it's a scientific fact. Found in venous congestion in the legs, liver, kidneys. Why not in the brain?
It's part of the renin-angiotensis system.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7143701
Iron deposition is another marker found in MS brains and in venous congestion. A leaky blood brain barrier doesn't help...
cheer

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Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

Except the article you cite talks about Na+ leaking into the blood (in dogs), not from the blood into an organ. So it doesn't have much relevance.

Sorry, Patient. You are absolutely correct, as always!
Should have linked the following showing raised venous pressure, edema and Na retention in organs.


http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/revista ... iales-2010



http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lance ... X/abstract

hope you're doing well!
cheer

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Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

So now MS is a venous disease of the kidneys ?
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/ ... urkidneys/

I bet this is just a marker of neurodegeneration.

It doesn't say anything about the sodium building up at the site of the congestion...

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RRMS dx 3/3/11; Copaxone since 12/1/11

Yep, it has nothing to do with the central nervous system.


That's pretty much the conclusion of the authors of this study. They and the references they cite indicate the excess Na+ is related to the sodium channels along damaged axons. They think monitoring the buildup of Na+ in the brain with MRI might be a good indicator of MS progression. Some of the references conclude that the sodium channels might be a route to protecting the axons, though these are now a little dated, since this sounds the mechanism of Amprya.

found a non-referenced source suggesting that low calcium, magnesium and/or zinc can result in sodium accumulation. absence of antagonists permitting buildup. i have previously posted a study on the dysregulation and deposition of iron in zinc deficiency, but i'm not able to quickly locate research on the sodium side of it. if i find anything peer-reviewed, will post.

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my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com