MS vein therapy scrutinized in Alberta study

Albertawill spend up to $1 million totrack the experience of people with multiple sclerosis, particularly those who have had the controversial treatment introduced by Italian doctor Paolo Zamboni.

The web-based study, announced Wednesday,is beingconducted by researchers at the University of Calgary andthe University of Alberta, as well asexperts in the MS community, the province announced Wednesday.

Zamboni's treatment also called liberationtherapy is not approved for use in Canada, but it is available in several other countries including Italy, where it was first introduced.

The procedure purports tounclogthe neck veins of MS sufferers on the theory that their illness is caused by a condition Zamboni calls chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency,or CCSVI. Zamboni and some researchers maintain that people with CCSVIhave reduced blood drainage out of their brains,leadingto a buildupof iron in the central nervous system and MS symptoms.

Alberta Health and Wellnessis contributing up to $1 million to fund the study.

"Many people told us about their improved mobility and quality of life after the Zamboni procedure, but care must be taken because some patients experienced adverse effects and even death," Alberta Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said.

"We want to learn more, so I am asking Albertans with MS to participate in this new study."

The Alberta Multiple Sclerosis Initiative study will include a self-administered online survey that patients with MS or related conditions will fill out at regular intervals.

"This study will complement other ongoing CCSVI studies to address questions that must be answered in order to design clinical trials," said lead researcher Dr. Luanne Metz, who runs an MS clinic in Calgary.