The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), along with other organizations in Canada including the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, is in strong support of rigorous scientific research to determine the possible link between blood vessel anomalies and multiple sclerosis and the potential benefits of surgical intervention to relieve its symptoms. Canadian health researchers in all areas (population, biomedical and clinical) are already participating in a number of research studies on multiple sclerosis and the chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency hypothesis.
The decision to advance research on interventions to clinical trials is not one to be taken lightly; clinical trials are expensive, labour intensive, and carry certain risks. The decision to launch a clinical intervention trial must be based on sound pre-trial investigation. The AFMC supports the recommendation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the focus of current research in Canada to establish the appropriate parameters, based on evidence from MS and non-MS patients, to proceed with interventional research.
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) provides national and international leadership in health education, research and clinical care to meet the needs of all Canadians.
Elevated antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus linked to increased risk of multiple sclerosis