Two new papers from Dr. Chung

October 19, 2010 at 8:11am

For those who have been following this page for a bit, you may remember my references to Dr. Chung in Taiwan who has been studying the jugular veins in relationship to transient global amnesia (TGA) and other neurological disorders.  

Dr. Chung found that in those with internal jugular vein valve problems, or valves that didn't close properly,  there was reflux of blood in their jugulars when they used a "valsalva maneuver"--that means pushing air up against a closed airway, or straining.  The valves opened and this sent blood back up into the brain, and created temporary ischemic (low oxygen) events.  Dr. Chung postulated this is what causes temporary amnesia.   Some activities that create valsalva manuever are coughing, straining, opening up plugged up ears, lifting, and stressful responses. 

Dr. Chung has two new papers out on aging and the jugular veins.  I thought these were important to discuss after the ECTRIMS conference-- in which a researcher from the American University in Beirut stated that CCSVI could not be important in MS, because he only found CCSVI in older or more progressed MS patients.  He and his team found CCSVI in 92% of what he called "late MS" patients---those who had MS 10 years or more.  To anyone who knows MS, 10 years is not "late MS." 

I know many people who have had MS 30 years and more, but let's get on with what Dr. Chung discovered.  Dr. Chung is now measuring venous return in the jugular veins of the "healthy"  elderly.