Multiple Sclerosis and the Brain

Multiple Sclerosis Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Protocol

The Hubbard Foundation is a member of the National Center for Excellence in MRI (NICE), consortium of MRI centers around the world to evaluate venous outflow from the brain and neck of patients with MS. The chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) theory has been proposed by Dr. Zamboni in Italy and Dr. Mark Haacke of Wayne State University in Detroit and McMaster University in Toronto. According to their evidence, the brain and neck veins of MS patients may be clogged leading to iron deposits in the cerebral veins and allowing immune cells to wiggle out of the blood into the brain tissue where they attack myelin. Ultrasound is able to visualize large veins in the neck but MRI venography is able to evaluate smaller veins in the brain itself.