Dr. Philip James on CCSVI

June 23, 2011 at 9:20am

Dr. Philip James has been studying MS for the past 30 years in Dundee, Scotland.  He has long been speaking out about the vascular connection to MS, and the importance of oxygenation of the central nervous system.  Here is a recent quote on his interpretation of where MS research "went wrong."

 "The recent publicity given to the work of Professor Paolo Zamboni has highlighted a growing disaffection with the concept of ‘auto’ immunity which has dominated MS research and treatment for more than half a century. Zamboni trained as a vascular surgeon specializing on problems of leg veins, which often leak as we age, allowing red blood cells into the surrounding tissues. When the red cells break down they liberate iron which causes damage to the walls of veins and the surrounding cells. Similar damage was found in the veins in the centre of the typical ‘plaques’ of multiple sclerosis as long ago as 1863.

However, the use of an animal model for MS research after WW2 led to the concept of auto immunity where, it is claimed, the immune system attacks normal tissue. Despite sixty years of research there is no evidence of this and it remains just a theory. What is certain is the damage in MS involves veins and inflammation and Professor Zamboni has focused on these proven observations. He noticed, when using ultrasound scanning of the neck in a Multiple Sclerosis patient, that blood flowed the wrong way in a vein and also that the vein appeared to be constricted.

After more investigations he has used the same procedure used to stretch arteries in the heart to relieve the vein constrictions. Several patients have found the procedure beneficial, greatly reducing their symptoms although stretching the veins will not affect existing scarring. There has been no indication of why the veins constrict, although increased ‘reactivity’ of blood vessels has been reported before in MS patients.

Professor Zamboni’s work has highlighted the importance of the blood-brain barrier. Oxygen is responsible for the genetic control of inflammation and lack of oxygen has been shown in affected areas in MS patients by brain imaging. Neurologists are likely to remain sceptical of vein stretching until a ‘controlled’ study is done in which a sham procedure is used and compared to a group of matched patients who have the real procedure undertaken."

- Philip B James MB ChB DIH PhD FFOM

Emeritus Professor of Medicine University of Dundee

Honorary Medical Adviser MS Therapy Centres.