All three of these compounds have been shown in EAE mouse trials to reduce symptoms, reduce inflammation and slow progression of MS. All three have been touted as "neuroprotective."
But all three of these medications have a very similar known method of action (MOA) in humans. All have been used for years for cardiovascular and stroke patients. All have an effect on the endothelium and release nitric oxide and lower blood pressure. All three deal with "hypoperfusion", or reduced blood flow.
They all widen blood vessels, and increase blood flow to and from the brain.
guanabenz-- relaxes blood vessels so that blood may pass through more easily.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/guanabenz-oral-route/description/drg-20064106
ibudilast-- increases cerebral blood flow, is a vasodilator
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18677969
biotin---decreases blood pressure, increases blood flow, treats ischemia (low O2) after stroke
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18179728
http://www.google.com/patents/WO2014016003A1?cl=en
That's right. MS researchers have learned from Dr. Zamboni's discovery of CCSVI and slowed cerebral blood flow and hypoperfusion in the MS brain.
But they do not want patients to try "alternative treatments"; to have venous malformations treated, or to receive HBOT treatment, or have atlas adjustments, or to eat better, quit smoking, get UV rays or exercise more. All of these alternatives have been scientifically shown to increase cerebral blood flow and perfusion. These alternatives will help people with MS live healthier lives. But they will not help MS researchers.
MS researchers would prefer it if you would take a pill. That way, their research labs will remain funded. That way, they receive finders' fees when you are enrolled in a drug trial.
(Up to $5,000 per patient!)
http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2012/04/clinical-trials-and-finders-fees-april.html
That way, they can receive speakers' fees, and have wonderful conferences, and do not have to address the elephant in the room----that the EAE model of MS is not MS. EAE has been used to create a $20 billion dollar a year drug industry, based on immune modulation and ablation, but has not stopped MS disease progression in humans.
There is most certainly a problem with cerebral blood flow and hypoperfusion in people with MS. In fact, all diseases of neurodegeneration have hypoperfusion.
http://ccsvi.org/index.php/the-basics/ccsvi-in-other-neurological-diseases
I simply wonder when the MS industry will admit that the new target of "neuroprotection", simply means increasing blood flow to neurons and myelin in the hypoperfused MS brain.
Still waiting,
Joan
This picture on the left is from Dr. Zamboni and Dr. Simka---it illustrates how cerebral blood flow becomes blocked, refluxes up jugular veins and goes to less efficient, collateral veins in CCSVI, creating hypoperfusion. I know it's real, because it's what my husband had on MRV (see pic on right) And there is no pill in the universe that could have restored Jeff's blood flow. He needed venous repair, and a new lifestyle. Six years later, no MS progression. This is real.