linkABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by widespread demyelination, axonal loss and gliosis, and neurodegeneration; susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), through the use of phase information to enhance local susceptibility or T2* contrast, is a relatively new and simple MRI application that can directly image cerebral veins by exploiting venous blood oxygenation. Here, we use high-field SWI at 3.0 Tesla to image 15 patients with clinically definite relapsing-remitting MS and to assess cerebral venous oxygen level changes. We demonstrate significantly reduced visibility of periventricular white matter venous vasculature in patients as compared to control subjects, supporting the concept of a widespread hypometabolic MS disease process. SWI may afford a noninvasive and relatively simple method to assess venous oxygen saturation so as to closely monitor disease severity, progression, and response to therapy.
This new research (april '09) shows less visibility of veins in MS brains due to a hypometabolic state (slowed down metabolism due to less oxygenation)
Less oxygen and slowed down metabolic activity could be certainly be caused by chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.
NOTE: Study done at NYU School of Medicine...they have lots of studies on venous/MS connections. And they have MRV technology. Can someone contact them re: CCSVI?
