Multiple sclerosis 'not caused by blood vessel condition'

Multiple sclerosis is not caused by a blood vessel condition in spite of earlier research that suggests it is, a new study has concluded.

Reuters Health reports that Dr Ellen Marder, of the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, carried out a review of the literature on chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Results of the review, combined with another study, called into question whether the condition has any role in causing multiple sclerosis, first suggested by researchers in Italy in 2009.

Dr Marder told the news provider: "We don't think (CCSVI) is the cause of multiple sclerosis.

"We would not advise our patients to be tested for this or act on any recommendations based on this sort of testing."

Recently, Biogen and Abbott's multiple sclerosis drug daclizumab performed successfully in a mid-stage trial.

However, results of the once-monthly injection treatment were overshadowed by two deaths that occurred in the SELECT trial and a second dosing trial.

Read about Barchester expertise in offering multiple sclerosis support.