Multiple Sclerosis Not Caused by Narrowed Veins: STUDY

Canadian researcher confirmed that multiple sclerosis is not a result of the narrowing of veins from the brain to the heart, as previously claimed by an Italian vascular surgeon, Paulo Zamboni.

The study which was published in The Lancet claimed that "solid and well-balanced" findings serve as a "death knell" to the previous theory, and that research into it, not including the recent Canadian study is just a waste of both time and money. Neurologist Dr. Anthony Traboulsee of the University of British Columbia found no difference in the narrowing of the veins between patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, their unaffected brothers and sisters and other unrelated people without the disease.

"I think we can say that story is closed," Traboulsee said of the theory that venous blockages cause MS, explaining that such narrowing is just as common in the general population. Dr. Traboulsee along with his team used catheter venography, a "gold standard" in venous imaging that is used to measure vein narrowing.

Zamboni's theory which was published in 2009, gave millions of people around the world suffering from the disease some hope for treatment. They previously claimed that the narrowing of veins is what led to the blockages and buildup of iron in the body that in turn triggers inflammation.

One patient, Shannen Simard, 34, of North Bay immediately flew out of the country to get treatment but later on found that it was all just wishful thinking. "It's too bad because it all seemed so promising, but all it gave me was false hope. It was crushing. All their money and their effort were for naught," Simard said. Dr. Traboulsee argues that more research is necessary to determine the effects, if any, of venous dilation. "I think that was very passionate and black-and-white commentary, but it ignores what people tell us," he said.