The Manitoba Government has allocated $500,000 for possible future trials of the ‘liberation’ treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

The treatment is intended to relieve a narrow-vein condition known as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). This is based a theory put forward by Paolo Zamboni, which holds that many MS patients suffer from CCSVI. Through ‘liberation’—that is, unblocking veins with a balloon angioplasty procedure—MS symptoms can be alleviated.

Health Minister Theresa Oswald is enthusiastic about ‘pan-Canadian’ clinical trials, which would produce more consistent findings than uncoordinated studies using different methods. But the Canadian Institutes of health Research stated that there is insufficient evidence to support wide application of this procedure.

In addition to this fund, the province is increasing its yearly support for an MS clinic at Health Sciences Centre by over $500,000. This fund will go towards hiring the Centre’s fifth neurologist on order to cut down waiting time for new referrals and increase other resources for patient care.

Jo-Anne Findlay, a Winnipeg MS patient, is pleased to see the continued focus on CCSVI. “It’s something that has been providing some good results for some people, but not for all.” She does stress that this focus should not result in other research being “put on the back burner”.