It's been one year since W5 put the spotlight on a doctor from Italy, who came upon a new theory on how to treat Multiple Sclerosis.

Since then, there has been an explosion of interest surrounding Dr. Paolo Zamboni's "Liberation Treatment" and Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI).

The past year has seen a growth in research initiatives, clinical studies, growing calls from MS patients for their governments to take the treatment seriously, and intense debate on both sides of the argument surrounding the treatment's legitimacy.

The above map shows countries that either offer the treatment, are performing clinical trials or have funded research into the Liberation Treatment since W5's investigation by medical correspondent Avis Favaro and medical producer Elizabeth St. Philip went to air on Nov. 21, 2009.

The Internet was a major factor that contributed to spreading word of the treatment, as well as providing a forum for unhappy MS patients to demand doctors investigate Dr. Paolo Zamboni's theory quickly.

When W5 first aired the story there were two chat sites on the topic. Now, there are thousands, including this small selection of Facebook sites devoted to CCSVI in Canada:

• CCSVI Facebook
• CCSVI in B.C. Facebook
• CCSVI in MS Toronto Facebook
• CCSVI Calgary Facebook
• CCSVI in Ottawa Facebook
• CCSVI Saskatchewan Facebook
• CCSVI in MS UK Facebook
• CCSVI Maryland Facebook 

This website helps people locate CCSIV Social Network Sites worldwide.