title: On the historical succession of vessel-based therapies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Since 2009, the (CCSVI) model of multiple sclerosis has drawn much attention, and the associated surgical 'venoplasty' interventions have often been advertised as a novel idea. In fact, it is a new incarnation of various vessel-based therapies attempted for multiple sclerosis in the past, dating back to the 1930s, when Tracy Jackson Putnam (1894-1975) attempted pharmacological anticoagulation. This was followed in the 1940s by Richard M. Brickner's (1896-1959) studies of vasodilatory drugs, which further inspired trials of sympathectomy and ganglionectomy. In the 1950s, Ilya Mark Scheinker (1902-1954) studied vasopressor therapy, while Roy Laver Swank (1909-2008) investigated the effects of a low saturated fat diet in his patients. This paper discusses the longer history of these therapeutic endeavours and the aetiological theories that inspired them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada. aganesh @ ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Aravind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganesh
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Stahnisch
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008488:Medical Illustration; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply