Medical Hierarchies

February 2,  2013  

We are beginning to see how the hierarchical power structure at universities and in medical journals is impacting research into CCSVI. Negative studies are picked up time and time again in the press and regurgitated ad infinitum,  while positive and corroborative CCSVI research from vascular specialists is ignored. 

Why?

Aside from corporate conspiracy theories (which may be true, but near impossible to prove)---there is another force which comes into play in research.

The hierarchies of medical disciplines.

Here is a paper written in the 1980s, regarding the favoring of the immunologists' explanation of MS over the vascular paradigm. 

Yes, this debate has been waging for many, many years-it is not new.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.ep11340153/pdf

From the paper on Social Constructionism and medical sociology: a study of the vascular theory of MS--

"A recent debate surrounding the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis is analysed in terms of the skills, interests and backgrounds of the medical personnel involved. It is noted that the proponents of the vascular theory possess developed expertises in interpreting disease in

structural, vascular terms, whereas their opponents' skills lie in immunology or neurology. Different observers have produced different conceptions of the disease because modes of

observation, and the points from which observation takes place, differ. 

It is also noted that the debate over the causation and treatment of MS has occurred between a large and powerful social group and a weak and marginal one. The effects of this power inequality on the production and assessment of knowledge about MS are investigated."

The authors go on to explain how the "large and powerful group" of more highly paid and trained neurologists got to "own" MS. Because of this, any other theories or modalities of MS diagnosis or treatment from weaker and less powerful medical groups or patients are shot down, called quack theories and easily discounted.

This is a very important paper for us to understand.  It reviews Dr. Philip James' studies in Scotland in the 80's. He likened the MS disease process to decompression sickness and oxygen deprivation he found in divers. James, like Dr. Roy Swank, thought this might be due to blockages in the vascular system, and he had much success treating MS patients with hyperbaric oxygen. 

This paper helps us understand what we've always been up against- and why the internet is a democratizing power in this "social constructivism" and how we can change the dialogue, and insist on more vascular research.  We can lend our voices to help the "marginalized" vascular profession.

We may not be able to control what the mainstream/corporate press publishes in terms of research results, BUT we can inform one another, and help the vascular doctors have a platform for their research.

Spread the word.

Joan

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.