What were the hot topics out of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis held last week in Copenhagen?
1. Vitamin D makes a difference--
Higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlate with less multiple sclerosis disease activity and progression, researchers reported here.
Every 50 nmol/L increment in average serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels observed at baseline translated into a 57% lower rate of new active multiple sclerosis-defining lesions (P=0.0009), reported Alberto Ascherio, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ECTRIMS/42036
2. Exercise is important--
Regular exercise fights depression, improves cognition, and modifies disease activity.
Some of these strategies were described by Dr. Dalgas (Aarhus, Denmark), who reminded the audience that for many years people with MS were advised against exercising because it seemed to make fatigue and other symptoms worse. Thanks to research, we now know that this worsening is usually temporary and outweighed by the benefits.
http://www.msconnection.org/Blog/October-2013/More-on-Exercise-and-Rehabilitation
3. Too much salt is not good for those with MS--
Also, patients with estimated salt intake classified as high -- more than 4.8 g daily -- showed relapse rates that were 3.95 times greater (95% CI 1.39-11.21) than those with intakes less than 2 g/day, he told attendees at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ECTRIMS/42063
(And, oh yeah, we've also got lots and lots of drugs for you. This part of ECTRIMS was reported in the financial press)
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/genzymes-multiple-sclerosis-franchise-featured-at-ectrims-2013-09-26
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/10/04/new-data-presented-at-29th-ectrims-congress-reinfo/
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/biogen-idec-to-present-extensive-new-data-from-its-robust-multiple-sclerosis-portfolio-at-ectrims-2013-09-23
None of the "hot topics" are anything new to the readers of this page, or followers of CCSVI research.
Because all of these new "hot topics" in MS affect the cardiovascular system. These factors change the lining of our blood vessels, called the endothelium. All of these factors influence the blood brain barrier.
And, coincidently, I wrote about all of these factors in 2008, when I created the Endothelial Health Program to help Jeff. Increasing vitamin D levels, pursuing regular exercise, and avoiding processed foods and salt are all addressed. We've been discussing the research on these factors on this page since 2009.
http://www.ccsvi.org/index.php/helping-myself/endothelial-health
More importantly, what was not discussed at ECTRIMS 2013??
Claudiu Diaconu's ground breaking discovery of new jugular valves and malformations never seen or documented before---first presented at ECTRIMS in 2011.
Some results from the first 13 cadavers were presented during a platform session at ECTRIMS by Case Western University medical student Claudiu Diaconu. He confirmed that venous structures in the brain and brainstem appear to be far more complicated and variable than previously thought.
In fact, the postmortem study revealed the presence of a novel venous valve that had not been described in anatomy textbooks.
Perhaps the most important finding was that most of the stenoses identified in the study were not associated with vessel wall thickness or circumference.
As a result, Diaconu said, cerebrospinal vein scans in live patients "should focus on identifying intraluminal abnormalities, not just vessel wall narrowing or thickening.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ECTRIMS/29266
Surely, there would be follow up to this ground-breaking research?
no.
There was not one, single positive presentation on CCSVI at ECTRIMS.
There were 4 posters presented, and all had negative conclusions regarding the relationship of CCSVI to MS.
The saddest thing is that neurologists admit they are no closer to understanding what causes MS progression. Brain atrophy and disability continue, no matter what drug therapies are utilized. It's 2013, and they are still wedded to their EAE model and their immune modulating drugs.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/MultipleSclerosis/42200
Yet the big news in 2013 is that lifestyle changes help people with MS--and these all affect the connection of the heart to the brain.
It's tragically ironic.
Hang in there---we're on to something,
Joan
