A Liberal government would launch federally-funded clinical trials of a controversial new treatment for multiple sclerosis, Michael Ignatieff said Thursday in his year-end interview with The Globe and Mail.

In the hours leading up to that interview, The Globe asked readers through its Twitter account and Facebook site to submit questions for the Liberal Leader, one of which we promised to ask him.

The chosen question came from Amy Gaylord-Preston, who wanted to know “where he stands on treating MS patients for CCSVI. Would he insist that we be allowed treatment for blocked blood flow from our brains now? In our own country?”

CCSVI stands for chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency. The unproven theory holds that narrow veins leading from the brain constrict blood flow from the brain, leading to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The treatment, devised by Italian researcher Paolo Zamboni, consists of improving the blood flow, which in some cases has led to dramatic improvements.

But the Zamboni treatment – which some neurologists criticize as unproven and risky– is not authorized in Canada. While the government of Saskatchewan has decided to fund clinical trials, the federal Conservative government has tried to stay out of the debate.

But Ottawa should actually be taking the lead, Mr. Ignatieff insisted.