There has been much debate on the topic of Chronic Cerebro Spinal Insufficiency (CCSVI) and its relationship with MS. Alfred Hospital in Australia is set to undertake a trial assessing the efficacy of balloon angioplasty for CCSVI as a proposed method for treating the symptoms of MS.
The trial will be funded by The Alfred Radiology Research Fund with help of contributions from MS Australia, backed by the MS community and CCSVI Australia. To date, almost $100,000 has been raised in support of the study. Read MS Australia’s press release.
The trial will be a randomised, blinded, controlled study in 160 people with MS that have met specific criteria. It is to assess whether balloon angioplasty (used to widen narrowed veins) is more effective than a sham procedure in terms of changes to physical, neurological and cognitive function.
Currently, CCSVI as a proposed theory is in question, and the efficacy of treatment for CCSVI is unknown, with anecdotal evidence providing varied and conflicting accounts of its benefits and/or failings. For more information on CCSVI, read our information sheet.
What is known is the importance of undertaking research of this kind in order to prove or disprove the treatment of CCSVI as a method to alleviate the symptoms of MS, as well as provide greater understanding of CCSVI’s role, if any, with reference to multiple sclerosis.
We await the trial’s commencement and look forward to its findings. For further information, read the trial outline.