Thank you for your interest in our research projects which
are designed to explore the link between MS and chronic cerebrospinal venous
insufficiency (CCSVI). CCSVI is an
ongoing problem when blood from the brain has difficulty flowing properly to
the heart due to blockages or stenoses (narrowing of the veins).
You have an opportunity to self refer to our center for
testing of CCSVI. The testing is presented as a complete regimen which
includes:
MRI of the brain and neck: This
MRI is designed to collected special pictures of your brain and neck. The MRI
will last 60-90 minutes.
Doppler ultrasound:
A non-invasive test that uses reflected sound waves to evaluate blood as it
flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors evaluate blood flow through the
major arteries and veins of the arms, legs, neck and more recently with the new
instruments also the flow trough the brain. It can show blocked, reduced or
reversed blood flow through the major vessels of the neck and head. This exam
will last about 45 minutes.
Clinical visit with a
neurologist: You will have a
physical examination which will include blood pressure, pulse, and functioning.
You will be asked questions regarding your medical history as well as what
medication you currently take and have taken in the past. There will also be
questions about your MS diagnosis, symptoms, and relapse issues. The tests will evaluate disability associated
with MS, leg, arm and cognitive function, and fatigue. The visit will last approximately
60 minutes.
Neuropsychological
evaluation: You will complete a group of tests which are designed to assess
memory, cognitive functioning, hearing, verbal learning, motor function and
mood. This testing takes about 2 hours.
Blood sample: You will be asked to contribute 2
tablespoons of blood for evaluation of specific genetic factors related to higher
MS disease susceptibility and severity.
Optical Coherence
Tomography: The OCT test
measures the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macula. This test provides us detailed information
about the health of your retina. The
test will take approximately 15 minutes.
At this time,
there isn’t any health insurance reimbursement for any testing component. The
total cost of testing and reports is $4500.00. We kindly ask that 50% of this
is paid prior to scheduling.
Research evaluating CCSVI and MS is not complete and
is, in fact, only in its initial stage.
By signing up for testing, you will also agree to allow our team to use
your test results to create a large patient database which will allow us to carefully evaluate the value
of these procedures, according to the approved IRB protocol, in further
understanding MS and any possible treatment that could follow.
You understand that you are voluntarily agreeing to
undergo the tests. Any information you
gain from these tests is purely informational and educational and will not be
able to be used by you or any other person to diagnose, cure, treat, mitigate,
or prevent your MS.
Once the team evaluates the information you provided in the
below application, you will be contacted to:
a) complete the screening and
safety evaluation process
b) discuss schedule of procedures
and payments
c) receive, review and sign consent
agreements for testing, payment, results
interpretations and use of your data for research purposes
d) organize your testing schedule
PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY ONE application per
person. Any incomplete or duplicate applications will only delay the
application process. This information is required for all applicants. Thank you
for taking the time to complete this application.