Basal Ganglia, Thalamus, CCSVI & Multiple Sclerosis
The basal ganglia is a large congregation of nerve cells situated inside the cerebrum and upper reaches of brain cells. They are structured to assist motions, including starting, stopping and to ensure fluent and controlled movements.
Neuropsychiatry of Huntington’s Disease and
Other Basal Ganglia Disorders
Multiple sclerosis can cause damage to the basal ganglia, which can produce a variety of symptoms, including: tremor, involuntary movements, weakness and spasticity.
The thalamus is the sensual area of the brain. This regulates pain and temperature and relays this information to the brain to other locations within the brain.
Sleep, consciousness, arousal, mental agility and emotional stability, are all connected to functionality of the thalamus.
In cases of multiple sclerosis, lesions in the thalamus can result in motor control conditions such as tremors or spasticity.
Known treatments for severe tremors include freezing off the area of the thalamus producing the tremor, this is known as thalamotomy.
CCSVI studies have highlighted an abnormally high presence of iron content in the basal ganglia and thalamus.
Dr. Haacke's SWI displays Specific Venous Patterns
Dr. Haacke developed SWI to see specific patterns in the venous structure. He states his findings in the brains of MS patients are consistent with everything presented today regarding venous structure, oxygen and iron deposition.
MRI-SWI (susceptibility weighted imagery) cerebral veins and iron deposition
CCSVI does not go against what we know about MS ....however it will further define it."
- Dr Mark Hackie
In normal brain tissue, iron appears as ferritin 80% and hemeiron 20% of the time. Iron can be viewed on SWI, appearing at 3 tesla as a darkened gray. Capillary density will absorb the majority of the iron, which appears most often in the basal ganglia.
The images show an increase in basal ganglia and thalamus iron in MS patients, and can be used to gauge MS. It appear that as the iron deposits increase over time, so does the worsening of the patients condition. Iron in the thalamus is known to be a strong bio marker for MS progression without brain lesions.
Controlled studies have shown that young people with MS have dramatically increased levels of iron in the brain than those who do not have MS. SWI is very sensitive to local iron content. In Tesla MRI's, the micro vascular response to iron deposition.
Progressive MS displays a reduction in the amount of oxygen in the brain.
SWIM technology is used to measure the deoxygenated saturation of the veins and will provide us with newer and more accurate markers into the study of Iron matter in the brain. Iron is known to act as an inflammatory agent within the brain.
CCSVI screening, and subsequent treatment should be considered urgent. More funding specifically towards CCSVI research is a necessity.
The focus should be on CCSVI, not MS. The areas of the basal ganglia and thalamus are of prime importance to bodily function. If you have MS you are more likely to have a higher content of iron in these areas.
So why shouldn't the MS Community be shouting from the rooftops?
All it takes is for one person to mention CCSVI to another person who is skilled, and open minded enough, to delve deeper into CCSVI from their perspective.
One area that especially caught my interest was altitude sickness and related symptoms. It moved me on to thinking that CCSVI may have the potential to affect the field of sports science, and beyond.
It's possible we have been looking in the wrong direction all these years?
Maybe CCSVI does not have a connection to MS but we can still work on eliminating the dangers of CCSVI.
The venous obstruction described in MS patients may be the cause of the build up of iron in the basal ganglia. Currently there are a lots of places capable of using SWI technology.
There is now spin software available on line- so that anyone can use SWI capabilities.
We need a MS protocol that takes into consideration, oxygen saturation, iron deposition, and perfusion time.
CCSVI Protocols
PLEASE print this out for your doctors before you get scans, especially if they are using MRV (magnetic resonance venography) technology without doppler ultrasound. It is ESSENTIAL that the MRV's be done correctly
Dr. Haacke radio interview discussing trials and research.
Working Together to Hasten Understanding
Several people emailed me expressing their need for more information and thanks to the efforts of one of our readers, who not only helped me with some of the technical aspects, but also provided a german translation to our home page. MS is a global Illness so the information should have no language barrier. If we can all pull resources together, we can hasten our understanding of CCSVI, and MS.
You may not feel you can make a difference, but there are other ways to show your support. It could be the forum response you posted that grabs the attention of someone who cain develop the understanding. The translated page could make it's way over to Germany, and spark interests in someone who knew nothing of CCSVI.
CCSVI Tracking Projects are only the initial steps. Not all patients responded to the treatment. Those who didn't benefit from the treatment are less likely to share their story. We need a bigger representation to expand our understanding.
In many cases, the CCSVI treatment appears to have a beneficial impact. A lot of work needs to be done in the understanding of CCSVI (and MS).
Blogging and Sharing Knowledge
I have just started a personal blog, MS Vascular Symptoms.
I don't have the background to consider offering medical advice but I plan to explore past studies of the MS vascular theory. I want to look closer at the symptoms of MS. Maybe it will spark an interest in someone who can push the understanding of MS, to a new level. If you have any information you think others would benefit from, let them know.
Wordpress is a great place to start your own free blog. It has a slight learning curve but is far easier than attempting to set up a website, for the first time. Blog commenting is a good way to interact with others in a similar situation. If you are completely PC phobic, you can email your story to me. I'll gladly post your opinions on related matters.
The internet is great for gathering and relaying information, I am urging you to use it if you can. This your health at stake, and any small piece of information you pass on could help.
Offer Your Support, Copy the Code below and Link to This Website.
With Your Help, We Can Give This New Approach The Publicity it Deserves!
