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Welcome to CCSVI Alliance!

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) is a recently documented vascular condition that may profoundly change the way we think about MS and other neurological diseases.

Compelling research over the past several years supports continued investigation into the link between CCSVI, MS, and other neurological diseases. This site addresses critical aspects of CCSVI, from theory to research to treatment, providing original analysis and discussion that should engage both newcomers and medical professionals alike.

For those just learning about CCSVI, we encourage you to begin in our Basics section for a pragmatic introduction to key aspects of CCSVI theory and treatment. For physicians, researchers, and patients looking for more sophisticated analysis, we hope you enjoy our Advanced Topics section, where all content has been reviewed and vetted by a world-class team of medical professionals whose expertise ranges from neurology to interventional radiology to imaging and physics. You can also find a searchable database of peer-reviewed research into CCSVI.

We understand, however, that patient and physician interests run beyond pure research and hard facts. Accordingly, we have provided a dedicated section on Patient Perspectives, including patient experiences during and after CCSVI treatment, and questions and answers for potential patients. Our Helping Yourself section summarizes practical approaches to maintaining vascular health, as well as tips for talking to physicians about CCSVI.

Visit our Facebook page for the latest information related to CCSVI and to connect with others interested in staying abreast of the news.

Our aim is to provide patients, caregivers, and medical professionals with a definitive resource for learning more about CCSVI - the science, the process, and the patient experience. As more research emerges, replacing mysteries with data and speculations with fact, we will be here, objective and clear. Opening veins, opening minds. Let's get started!

- CCSVI Alliance

Featured Content

Read Angelo's newest Patient Perspective about his MS and CCSVI treatment
Visit "Other Neurological Diseases" to learn about connections between CCSVI, blood flow, and other neurological diseases
Visit "CCSVI Treatment Aftercare" to learn how to help yourself after treatment, including questions to ask beforehand
Purchase CCSVI Alliance t-shirts and buttons to raise awareness of CCSVI

ISNVD 2014 Conference

CCSVI Alliance attended the 2014 Conference for the International Society for Neurovascular Disease (ISNVD) in San Francisco and interviewed several attendees about recent developments.

Blood Vessels and Inflammtion in Neurological Disease

Joan Beal, CCSVI Alliance board member, interviews ISNVD 2014 Conference keynote speaker, Dr. Paula Grammas, PhD. Dr. Grammas is Professor of Neurology - Texas Tech University and Executive Director of the Garrison Institute on Aging. She was recently appointed Director of the Texas Alzheimer's Research Consortium. Joan talks with Dr. Grammas about her research into the role of blood vessels and inflammation in neurological disease.

Perfusion in Multiple Sclerosis

Dr. Paolo Zamboni discusses his new pilot study which looks at perfusion changes in the multiple sclerosis (MS) brain prior to and after successful venoplasty for CCSVI, utilizing SPECT and PET scans. His team also compares cerebral perfusion in MS to normal controls. Recorded at the ISNVD 2014 Conference - San Francisco.

Find additional videos featuring Dr. Paolo Zamboni, Dr. Michael Dake, and others at the "Video Gallery". This gallery can be found under "The Basics" section and "CCSVI Multimedia," together with a selection of CCSVI photos at the "Photo Gallery."

CCSVI Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. While our work may be of interest to people worldwide, our focus is on CCSVI in the United States.

How Craniocervical Misalignment Effects Fluid Flow

Dr. Scott Rosa is doing the most compelling upper cervical chiropractic rsearch in the world today. He has spent the last 15 years working developmentally with the inventor of the MRI (Dr. Raymond Damadian) and FONAR Corporation - maker of the UPRIGHT Multi-positional MRI, in developing his advanced dynamic imaginig procedure. He has worked with FONAR Corporation in developing cine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow software as well as cine motion MRI and vertebral artery flow studies which have been instrumental in providing advanced images validating upper cervical adjusting pre and post C-1 correction, as well as patho-physiological changes at the cranio-cervical junction.

Dr. Rosa's latest research is in the area of neuro-degenerative brain disease, cerebellar tonsillar ectopia (CTE), altered CSF and arterial/venous flow dynamics and their correlation to the cranio-cervical junction (gateway between the brain and spinal column), and atlas misalignment. Cerebrospinal fluid is no longer thought of as JUST a cushion for the brain. Recent studies have shown the importance of CSF to clear toxins of the brain through the glymphatic system; also, the draining of CSF from the central nervous system into the deep cervical lymph nodes by the newly found meningeal lymphatic vessels. It is highly important that the CSF is un-encumbered in order for these systems to work effectively.

Source: Trauma Imaging Foundation

2014 VEITH Symposium

Dr. Dake Looks Forward

During the 2014 VEITH Symposium Sharon Richardson, CCSVI Alliance President, interviewed Dr. Michael Dake. Dr. Dake discussed CCSVI and its future, including its potential impact on a broad range of neurological diseases. Dr. Dake also discussed the March 2015 ISNVD scientific conference.

Dr. Zamboni Update on CCSVI

During the 2014 VEITH Symposium Sharon Richardson, CCSVI Alliance President, interviewed Dr. Paolo Zamboni about his presentation. In the interview Dr. Zamboni discussed developments over the past five years in CCSVI, including patient selection and progress of his double blinded “Brave-Dreams” clinical trial. Dr. Zamboni also discussed NASA’s use of his “Drain Brain” neck collar in experiments being conducted on the International Space Station.

For more information, review ISNVD’s Position Paper on multimodal screening for detection of CCSVI and Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti’s reporting from the International Space Station on her use of Dr. Zamboni’s neck collar technology.

Find additional videos at the "Video Gallery".