National MS Society - May 05 2011

"Last month more than 10,000 researchers and practicing neurologists from around the world gathered at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Honolulu. Over 500 presentations related to multiple sclerosis, including a presentation by the 2011 John Dystel Prize for MS Research recipient, Dr. Brian Weinshenker (Mayo Clinic), related to his work and contributions toward understanding MS and the related disorder, neuromyelitis optica. National MS Society grantees, as well as grantees from the MS Society of Canada, NIH and other agencies, were among those presenting novel findings on many different approaches to stopping MS, restoring function, and ending the disease forever. Topics include CCSVI, laquinimod, a new trial in primary-progressive MS, Ginkgo biloba, advantages of early treatment and its long-term impact, treating sleep disorders, quality of life, MS genetics, the role of immune B cells, myelin repair, environmental risk factors and many more. Here are some highlights."

MS Research Progress Takes Center Stage at American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=5001

"Download a full summary of highlights" - You can download the PDF by following the link above.

On that report, you will see a study led by Katayoun Alikhani of Calgary. Here are the results:

"A study led by Katayoun Alikhani of Calgary included 67 people at the city’s University Hospital who underwent magnetic resonance venography of their neck veins. Among the findings: vein abnormalities were found in 20 per cent of those with MS and 20 per cent of those without MS."

“This first independent Canadian MRV study confirms neck vein abnormalities are infrequent and independent of the diagnosis of MS,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion, noting that larger, controlled, blinded and more comprehensive studies are under way."

Here is a more technical breakdown of the same Katayoun Alikhani Calgary study:

"A platform presentation from Katayoun Alikhanim MD (University of Calgary) and colleagues from across Canada focused on a study of the frequency of neck vein abnormalities in 67 people who visited an MS clinic (34 MS, 20 not MS, 7 possible MS, 6 CIS) using contrast- enhanced MR venography.

The radiologist was blinded as to the condition of each patient. Abnormalities were found in 7 out of 34 with MS,4 out of 20 not MS, 0 out of 7 possible MS and 1 out of6 CIS.     

Those with MS with vein abnormalities were more likely to be older (average age about 52 years) and to have more disability (average EDSS 6.17) compared to those with normal veins (46 years, 3.57 EDSS). (Abstract S01.006)"

Basically we are seeing a new Canadian study that shows that people with MS and people who don't have MS, have the same prevalance of CCSVI.

Down the road, it will be interesting to see the final results of the 7 main CCSVI studies, funded by the MS Society. One has to wonder what they will reveal? Will the data be clouded by wildly variable testing techniques?

Are these smaller studies foreshadowing the kind of thing we will see in the 7-large studies?

WaYnE