Our son has his algebra II final today. He's a sophomore and loves math (he did not get that from me!) His math homework has been too difficult for me since 6th grade....but I'll try one equation.
Here is a simple equation to help us understand how CCSVI can potentially create MS:
CCSVI + E(T) = MS
The hypothesis is that CCSVI is a congenital malformation which creates venous insufficiency. We are born with this flaw in our central veins. Some healthy people are born with it --22%, including those related to pwMS, according to BNAC. These malformations are what Dr. Zamboni found in all of his patients with MS. It is the pre-existing condition which allows MS to occur. But not everyone with this malformation develops MS.
Here is a paper by researchers at George Washington University explaining how venous embryology is the key to understanding CCSVI in MS--
http://www.phlebolymphology.org/2013/01/venous-embryology-the-key-to-understanding-anomalous-venous-conditions/
CCSVI is the venous insufficiency in the central nervous system.
E is an enviromental factor(s), which will be different in every case.
T is time.
When the environmental factor(s) is multiplied over time, in addition to CCSVI, there will be MS.
I believe we, collectively, have been so focused on E, that we can't see the forest for the trees.
In some, E will be a bad bacterial infection, like chlamydia pneumoniae (cpn) or Lyme disease.
In some, it will be a bad viral infection, like EBV.
In some, E will be a trauma from an accident.
In others, it will be a stressful life event; losing a child, a divorce, a death.
In others, E will be living near a toxic landfill. In some, it will be military service.
In a few, like my husband, it will be altitude and an hypoxic situation.
And many will have a combo platter of several Es.
If we try to isolate the same E for everyone, we will continue to talk in circles. And argue. And get nowhere.
This has been the problem with MS research.
It has been focused on finding the E, to the detriment of the larger issue, which is venous insufficiency.
Researchers have been trying to isolate one cause--just read the news.
This week it was shingles, last week it was EBV. Two weeks ago it was vitamin D.
Each new E is announced with fanfare. This is IT! And it never is...because the E is variable.
It's like shooting at a moving target.
My proposal is that we admit that there are many Es...and these are as individualized as we are.
But one thing we can potentially focus on, is that E exacerbated a pre-existing venous situation and made it worse. Perhaps igniting your MS.
The mechanism for this? My guess is endothelial dysfunction. A worsening of the venous condition due an environmental factor.
What are endothelial disrupters?
Any outside factor which changes nitric oxide balance and could exacerbate a venous insufficiency.
This list of endothelial disrupters includes (but is not limited to):
bacterial infections,
viral infections,
stress,
smoking,
toxins in air, land and water,
a diet high in saturated fats, glucose and low in B12 and vitamin D,
an imbalance of oxidative stress and low anti-oxidants
This list should look familiar to all of us :-) Any one of these factors can create endothelial dysfunction.
Any one of these, or several of these factors can be your own personal E.
For more information on endothelial dysfunction, here's some research I put together:
link
Dr. Zamboni's hypothesis is that if CCSVI can be corrected by venoplasty or surgery, and venous insufficiency can be corrected, and your personal E can be addressed- there is hope of healing.
Try this experiment....when you read the latest MS news, notice all of the new "E"s being linked to MS.
Especially when the article claims "Cause of MS found!" Then think about your own, personal "E"s and how they may have contributed to your MS story.
You can share your "E" with the rest of us in the comments, if you want.
UPDATE 2012: Here's an actual research paper from BNAC which found that smoking and EBV (two of the E's I mentioned) DO CONTRIBUTE TO CCSVI diagnosis and severity.
link
Joan
