Hype around MS ‘cure’ proves deadly

The recent death of Ontario resident Mahir Mostic, who died from complications after undergoing the procedure in Costa Rica, has revealed a sobering truth: that liberation therapy’s [...]

• Caroline says: An Ontario man has died after inadequate follow up after undergoing CCSVI in Costa Rica. This is very sad and will hopefully deter some of the patients traveling overseas to receive this treatment. Our deepest sympathy for his wife and young son.
   

• Related Links:
• http://www.thestar.com/news/article/894625--hype-around-ms-cure-proves-deadly?bn…

• HOT off the ECTRIMS Press: Zamboni cautions further studies needed on CCSVI

  Dr. Paolo Zamboni, who came up with a seemingly simple solution to stopping Multiple Sclerosis, is now urging caution until more clinical trials are done. This procedure, [...]

  • Caroline says: For those of us in the MS world, the name "Zamboni" has become a familiar staple over the past year. He is of course the creator of CCSVI for MS. He now cautions MS patients to NOT race overseas to undergo this procedure unless they are enrolled in a clinical trial. Read MS News Today's previous posts on this topic here.
     
  • Related Links:
  • http://www.examiner.com/multiple-sclerosis-in-national/zamboni-warns-more-tests-…
  
  

  • Quebec willing to test MS treatment

    A call for a national trial of a controversial M-S treatment has gained support. Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc says the province would be willing to join [...]

    • Caroline says: I have been keeping silent on the CCSVI excitement lately. It is a fantastic idea: unblocking veins to cure MS? Really? No more injections and infusions? Just like that? There have been a LOT of "cures" for MS over the years (bee venom, anyone?). I think it's great that people are doing studies on CCSVI to determine whether it is actually a viable treatment for MS...until we hear otherwise, however, the CCSVI hype is just that. I don't think the promotion of seriously invasive procedures without any actual scientific evidence (one physician performing this procedure on a patient he is married to does not count as an un-biased, randomized, double-blind study, folks). Don't get me wrong: it would be awesome if this thing actually works (really, really awesome)...but until we see actual evidence, we shouldn't hold our breath. So, cheers to Quebec for its willingness to check this out.
       
    • Related Links:
    • http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100818/mtl_ms_100818/20100818/…
    
    

    • ‘Placebo effect’ a concern with CCSVI

      Canadians experts say they fear stories of miraculous results from a controversial new MS treatment could be more about the “placebo effect” than an actual breakthrough — [...]

      • Related Links:
      • http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Placebo+effect+concern+with+controversial+tre…
      
      

      • New research fails to support CCSVI theory

        THURSDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) — An emerging hypothesis suggests that the demyelination of cerebral veins that characterizes multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused by chronic cerebrospinal [...]

        • Related Links:
        • http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Causal-Hypothes…
        
        

        • University of Buffalo to Conduct CCSVI Trial

          BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo medical researchers led by a team from the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery, will embark on a landmark prospective randomized double-blinded study [...]

          • Related Links:
          • http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11500…
          
          

          • CCSVI to cure MS? My arm needs a little more twisting…

            People with multiple sclerosis should be able to have surgery on blocked neck veins as part of a clinical trial, says the Italian doctor who pioneered what [...]

            • Caroline says: I've been reading more and more about this CCSVI lately...and still I am not sold on it. I obviously don't know enough about it, but the idea that narrowed veins might be causing my MS and associated symptoms seems fishy to me. The MS Society of Canada has announced that it will spend $700,000 to fund more research into CCSVI, however. So we'll see.
               
            • Related Links:
            • http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/15/zamboni-ms-ccsvi.html…
            
            

            • A New Cause for MS?

              By Henry L. Davis NEWS MEDICAL REPORTER October 15, 2009, 6:36 AM Buffalo physicians announced Wednesday that they have started a large study that could overturn thinking [...]

              • Caroline says: This is science that is totally out of my realm of understanding (or coherently commenting on)...so, the MS Society's response will have to suffice: "There is insufficient evidence to suggest that this phenomenon is the cause of MS." Nuff said, I suppose. Read it and decide for yourself.
                 
              • Related Links:
              • http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/828345.html?imw=Y…