MS Liberation Treatment

Original Air Date: Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Canada has begun recruiting patients for clinical trials of the controversial MS "liberation" treatment, a procedure that treats chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency or "CCSVI" by unblocking veins in the head and neck. The trials involve 100 patients in BC and Quebec, and will test the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Proponents say CCSVI procedure, first identified in 2008, has lessened the severity of MS symptoms in some patients; but critics argue the treatment needs to go through the proper Canadian scientific process, before governments move forward with implementation.

How effective is MS "liberation treatment"? And how could Canadian clinical trials affect Alberta? Joining us to discuss this, is Darrel Gregory, Director, Marketing & Communications, MS Society of Canada, Alberta and Northwest Territories division; and Dr. David Williams, Director of the National CCSVI Society.