Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, says new research may reveal how extracranial venous abnormalities contribute to various diseases as well as aging.
Researchers Urge Broad Study of Venous Abnormalities
Published February 27, 2014 This content is archived.
Story based on news release by Ellen Goldbaum
Although their oft-cited prior study found no causal relationship between venous abnormalities in the neck and multiple sclerosis (MS), University at Buffalo neurological researchers are strongly advocating more investigation.
Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, and his colleagues cite mounting evidence that the extracranial venous system may play a role in a broad range of central nervous system disorders and aging.
“The full story and consequence of these venous abnormalities that disrupt normal blood flow will require much more research,” says Zivadinov, who also directs UB’s Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center.
New Research Could Explore Risk Factors
Countering calls to abandon related research, Zivadinov has coauthored a debate article, “Potential Involvement of the Extracranial Venous System in Central Nervous System Disorders and Aging,” with Chih-Ping Chung, MD, PhD, of National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan, in BMC Medicine.
Zivadinov also published a related editorial, “Is There a Link Between the Extracranial Venous System and Central Nervous System Pathology?” in the same journal.
He and Chung call for research examining the incidence and prevalence of venous abnormalities in relation to developmental and demographic factors, as well as cardiovascular, inflammatory and lifestyle risk factors.
Prior ‘Neurology’ Study Among Most Cited
In their July 2011 study, “Prevalence, Sensitivity and Specificity of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in MS,” published in Neurology, Zivadinov’s team found an increased prevalence of extracranial venous abnormalities in MS patients, but no evidence of causation.
Their paper is one of the top 10 articles in neurology and the second-most-cited paper in neurology in the past three years, according to Neuropenews, the news blog of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the European Neurological Society.
“We have since developed a substantial body of work looking at these abnormalities in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, aging and other neurological diseases,” says Zivadinov.
“We believe our current studies on how these abnormalities impact central nervous system pathology will also prove to be of ongoing interest to the scientific community.”
Abnormalities May Impede Blood Flow From Brain
Extracranial venous abnormalities indicate chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), a condition characterized by the narrowing of vessels that drain blood from the cranium.
Paolo Zamboni of the University of Ferrara in Italy was the first to hypothesize that the condition results in changes in blood flow patterns that eventually injure brain tissue and degenerate neurons, leading or contributing to MS.
Compared to Zamboni’s research, the UB study found much lower sensitivity and specificity rates of CCSVI in MS patients.
However, the UB team did find a much higher prevalence of CCSVI in progressive versus non-progressive MS patients, suggesting the condition may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of MS.
The research team included Department of Neurology co-authors Ralph H. Benedict, PhD, professor; Michael G. Dwyer III, PhD, assistant professor; David W. Hojnacki, MD, assistant professor; Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, MD, professor; as well as Murali Ramanathan, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences.