Many have asked what effect the recent COSMO study will have on Dr. Zamboni's research.  COSMO is the multi-center doppler study, which was funded by the Italian MS Society and undertaken without input from Dr. Zamboni (in fact, he resigned from the study when he was told the technicians would be doing the testing using their own method)  was released at ECTRIMS 2012.  COSMO states that there is no such thing as CCSVI.  That this condition does not exist, and that's the final word.  Dr. Zamboni's Brave Dreams study continues.  But there is a great divide in Italy right now.

The lead investigator of this study, Dr. Giancarlo Comi, "showed his hand" at ECTRIMS 2011 and proclaimed CCSVI as a hoax.  With only 10% of the doppler results compiled, Comi went on a public rant, discrediting Dr. Zamboni.  Here's the note from last year, which explains the situation.

link to note

The press in Italy has been following this conflict, and there are many stories coming out in support of Dr. Zamboni.  These COSMO studies did not employ the full diagnostic protocol developed by Dr. Zamboni, which includes the very important and specific measurement of transcranial venous reflux in the deep cerebral veins. (Marie has written a very detailed explanation in her book about this protocol---and she has always said that her fear was this measurement would be the Achilles heel of Dr. Zamboni's diagnostics, because it is not simple to replicate.)

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I wanted to share a newspaper interview with a real Italian woman with MS, a volunteer at the Italian MS Society (AISM) who has lived with MS for 30 years and watched this controversy first hand. She has been diagnosed with CCSVI, but has not been able to be treated.  Because it is you, the people with MS, who have to speak out--and I wanted you to see the power of the truth, when it is spoken.

Here is the Story of Lorenza Gionchetta.

Ferrara, October 19, 2012 - 'The Zamboni Method divide. 

The controversies do not stop.  It is a week after the AISM, the Italian MS association, has rejected the innovative care of Dr. Paolo Zamboni, now known throughout the world. His theory is based on a connection between the disease and CCSVI, chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. The COSMO study showed that 97% of people with multiple sclerosis do not have CCSVI. The group CCSVI in Multiple Sclerosis Association claim that the COMSO research was unreliable.

Gionchetta Lorenza, 61, lives in Ferrara and suffers from multiple sclerosis for almost thirty years.

Does she defend the Zamboni method? 

 "When I was volunteering at the Italian MS Society (AISM)  there was a man who stopped working after a while due to the worsening of his condition. Some time later, I go to a dinner, I met him and I do not recognize him. He was born again: he walked, he started to play tennis, drive a car. Zamboni's treatment was the method used to help him. "

 When did she discover she was sick? 

 "I was 30 years old, I had made doctor visits, but did not understand what was wrong. I was always bad. After 10 years I have right-sided paralysis. I remember that my husband was looking at me, I collapsed to the ground.

"Why does she not submit to Dr. Zamboni's care, too? 

 "I would love to do it, but it is not yet possible. I'll do anything to try the therapy of Dr. Zamboni. " 

Zamboni has a lot of confidence? 

 "Of course. He could leave and be a foreign professor, but he wants to stay connected to Italy. He wants to teach Italian doctors this treatment.

"Why, in your opinion, the AISM, has discouraged the spread of Dr. Zamboni's method'? 

"The medicine that they offer now costs 2970 euros per box. The box has around 28 doses. The Zamboni care costs a total of about 3 thousand euro. I hope that money is not considered most important. " 

And then it is said to take effect. 

 "I do not want to take away my hope. Constantly I live in fear of the future. For me, the future means in an hour or two, because you never know when the effects of the disease may occur. " 

What does it mean to live with MS? 

 "For me it means not having the strength to do anything, it means dyslexia, eye problems, I can no longer ride a bike.  I had to stop working (I was a nurse), and much more." 

The AISM called you to participate in the Cosmo Study? 

 "No, the doctor of St. Anne Hospital told me that I would not be called." 

Do you know why? 

 "Not officially. When I told them I have MS and CCSVI also, I was not even called. "

 What do you think of the 'traditional' therapies? 

 "They have many side effects (spasticity, fatigue, paresthesia, depression, dizziness), for temporary benefits." 

link to story in Italian