Low Pressure Hyperbarics improves cerebral blood flow in Firefighters with mild TBI and emotional distress

Twenty firefighters with mTBI and mild emotional distress were treated with HBO at a relatively low pressure of 1.3 atmospheres absolute for 45 min a day for 20 consecutive days. The goal of the study was to evaluate the subsequent changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the limbic system in these firefighters.

The results showed an increase in rCBF in the hippocampal and parahippocampal regions of the brain. This may explain the recent evidence that suggests the ability of HBOT to help neural activities in the human brain and subsequently improve symptoms of psychiatric disorders <view study>

Treating Severe Traumatic Brain Injury using the combination of Neurofeedback and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Most people who have had a significant brain injury will require extensive rehabilitation. They may need to relearn basic skills, such as walking or talking. The goal is to improve their abilities to perform daily activities.

In this case study, a 26-year-old male suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle accident. He was discharged after 8 months and left with significant speech, ambulation, spasticity, and cognitive issues as well as the onset of post-traumatic epilepsy.

The family decided to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the combination of Neurofeedback (NFB) with HBOT “improved plasticity and functionality in the areas of injury and the correlated symptoms including short-term memory, personality, language, and executive function, as well as significantly reducing the incidence of seizures”

These results suggest that HBOT combined with NFB may be a viable option in treating severe brain injuries and should be investigated <view study>

Parkinson progression reduced by mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Mild or lower pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (aka m-HBOT) was able to demonstrate a marked reduction in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms in just 11 weeks!

PD is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease, of which the main neuropathological hallmark is dopaminergic neuronal loss (degeneration or loss of dopamine-producing neuronal cells). When dopamine-producing neurons die, motor functioning is affected and symptoms such as tremors, slowness, stiffness, and balance problems occur.

In this 11 week study, m-HBOT at 1.3 ATA (3 hours per day, 3 times per week) was able to protect the dopaminergic neurons from further loss and degeneration. More importantly, researchers observed positive effects in motor function <view study>

Physiological effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis

The majority of MS patients using hyperbaric oxygen do so at 1.5 ATA for 60 minutes. A laboratory-based replication of this treatment regimen (and the common MS protocols) gives a better understanding of the physiological effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on brain cells and their role in neuro-inflammation. <view study>

A 23 year old Migraine sufferer receives relief from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Researchers in this study followed and documented a 23-year-old female, with an 11-year history of migraines, non-responsive to conventional drug therapies and who began a course of intensive hyperbaric therapy (40 sessions at 1.5 ATA in 8 weeks). It should be noted that previous to starting her hyperbaric therapy, her migraines were severe and would lead to significant loss of function.

By the 24th hyperbaric session, “she had only experienced a single migraine with aura but without debilitating pain. The patient stated that she never had a migraine with such little intensity prior to initiation of hyperbaric treatment and did not have to take any days off from work or school. Follow-up at the end of her 40-day treatment period revealed a highly-satisfied patient who had only experienced a single episode of a mild migraine during the entire course of treatment.” <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen increases BDNF — A hot topic in brain regenerative therapies

BDNF is a very powerful protein that is released by your body in the efforts to stimulate the production of brand new brain cells (neurogenesis). This protein is vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking. Moreover, the expression of this protein is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. With this understanding, research is now pouring in to help us gain a better understanding of BDNF and its role in brain plasticity and regeneration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been noted for its brain regenerative effects, and this new study supports this notion. Researchers used a lower pressure of 1.5 ATA along with 2.0 ATA, and found that both pressures were able to cause significant increases in BDNF in just 3 to 5 days of consecutive HBOT sessions. “The BDNF concentration increased in a highly significant manner after three consecutive HBO treatments up to 43.94 ng/mL (p < 0.001) and after five HBO treatments up to 51.63 (p < 0.001) when compared to the BDNF concentration after one HBO treatment”. With respect to this study, the purpose was to demonstrate the potential benefits of adding HBOT to cochlear implantation as a promising adjunct treatment for hearing loss. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy effectively alleviates withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine dependence

Oxygen plays a central role in many pathological and disease states. This has led to a strong emphasis being placed on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to help determine the role of oxygen within these states; moreover, to help determine if extra oxygen can help to improve the pathophysiological processes going on within these disease states. In this particular study, researchers looked at oxygen’s role in detoxification and its use for withdrawal symptoms in a morphine-dependent rat model.

Through the evaluation of withdrawal symptom scores, biochemical indices, and neurotransmitters, they found that HBOT was able to cause a significant reduction in both withdrawal symptoms and weight loss. Along with these benefits many key pathophysiological markers including dopamine and other neurotransmitter changes, also showed significant improvements.

Together, these findings led the researchers to conclude that HBOT can effectively alleviate withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine dependence. Currently, there are many drug and alcohol centers that are using HBOT for a wide variety of uses, one of which is for addiction control. This study gives us a little more insight into their rationale and potential benefits <view study>

Move over Prozac; Hyperbaric oxygen demonstrates its anti-depressant effects

If you are suffering from depression and have had a past history of head injury or concussion, then pay close attention to a new study published in the Journal of World Neurosurgery, 2017. It is very well known that 50% of those people that are afflicted with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will also suffer from major depression and be put on antidepressants like Prozac. However, this and many other reasons for depression, are clearly related to inflammation inside the brain (neuroinflammation). With knowledge of this information, along with the understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the brain, researchers carried out a study to help us evaluate and see if HBOT could provide relief for TBI victims suffering from depression. The results demonstrated that HBOT was able to significantly diminish TBI-induced depression-like behavior, through its anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen for Concussions — A multi center observational study

Concussions, classified as mild traumatic brain injuries, are currently a major growing concern. The more we learn about this condion, the more we are able to see its devastating and long-lasting effects – even from just one concussion! Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a very simple and safe procedure that has helped many patients recover from traumatic brain and head injuries. Recently more attention has been focused on hyperbaric oxygen therpay for concussion recovery, with overwhelmingly positive results. This study supports these reported benefits and demonstrated improvement in 21 of 25 neurocognitive test measures that were observed. Subjects received 40-82 one-hour treatments at 1.5 atmospheres absolute 100% oxygen <view study>

Preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy before stroke/TBI to reduce the damage

Currently, there is a great deal of focus and attention being put on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, due to the promising results seen in clinical research and the potential application that this can have for those individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI. Now, there is strong evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy BEFORE brain trauma or injury, by preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

This study shows that HBOT preconditioning stands as a robust prophylactic treatment for sequestration of inflammation inherent in stroke and TBI. Though we can’t predict when the brain will be under traumatic stress (unless it’s a planned surgical procedure), hyperbaric oxygen may become one of the best ways to protect our brain from future injuries. The following groups of individuals would be the ones that would most likely benefit:

• Athletes and contact sports affect the head

• Patients undergoing planned brain surgery

• High-risk stroke patients

• Those who are at risk for neurodegenerative conditions

• Elderly

The future holds bright for the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for being part of both the treatment of brain trauma and the prevention of the severity of damage that can subsequently occur <view study>

1.6 vs 2.2 ATA of hyperbaric oxygen for traumatic brain injuries?

The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dramatic brain injury (TBI) has been confirmed by many studies. Now the question is “what is the best dose (ie, pressure protocol) to achieve the optimal benefits.

As new research becomes available, it appears that the lower the pressure, the stronger the benefits. This study confirms the recent data, by showing that 1.6 ATA hyperbaric intervention was superior to 2.2ATA for neurological impairment and the restoration of symptoms following TBI.

Researchers in this study suggested that “for the first time that 1.6 ATA HBO has an important protective role in inhibiting both the cytotoxic and the pro-inflammatory actions of histones in the early stage of secondary brain injury”. <view study>

Aging and obesity related cognitive decline restored by hyperbaric oxygen therapy

The combination of aging and obesity play major factors in the accelerated aging and degeneration of the brain. Commonly seen symptoms are characterized by problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment.

In this study, a simple 2 week course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy was shown to be effective in restoring cognitive function. The protocol used was 2.0 ATA, 80 minutes daily, for 14 days. The researchers noted that “HBOT restored insulin sensitivity, hippocampal functions, cognition in aging and aging-obese models” in this study done on rats <view study>

A review on the neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has clinically been reported to have many benefits within the body, particularly for a wide range of neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries , brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases (ie,Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s), neurodevelopment disorders (ie, Cerebral Palsy, Autism), and peripheral nerve injuries. The beneficial effects can largely be attributed to the protective anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects that this procedure promotes. “The evidence presented in this review indicates the potential of HBOT in treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries to the nervous system” <view study>

Research review supports the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common cause of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been reported to have numerous physiological benefits for the brain, particularly for aging or degenerative brain disorders. This review article published in the journal of Alzheimer’s disease (JAD) reviewed 391 full text articles between 1980-2021. The data from these studies showed both neurocognitive benefits along with positive clinical outcome for AD. These results led the authors of this review article to advocate for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for AD. They also encourage future studies to be performed for protocol development, with the goal of long-term cognitive health <view study>

The rejuvenating effects of intermittent hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Intermittent hyperbaric oxygen therapy is shown to help reduce the cellular and biological aging of the body and effectively help us live longer and more important, healthier.

One of the effects seen during the aging process is a decline in cerebral blood flow, causing a reduction in brain oxygen levels. Cognitive and mental performance are effected, particularly in attention and information processing speed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help combat the decline in cognitive function by supplying the brain with a surplus of oxygen. In addition, the intermittent application of this procedure causes changes in oxygen tensions that promote beneficial regulatory protein changes (from the flux in oxygen levels from high to normal).

These changes include an increase in SIRT1, HIF-1A, and a reduction in CD28 null senescent T helper and cytotoxic T cells.

• SIRT1 increases mitochondrial biogenesis (energy production) and attenuates telomere length thereby contributing to an increased healthy lifespan and reducing aging-related diseases.

• CD28^null senescent T helper and cytotoxic T cells are aging-associated biomarkers and lower levels are associated with a reduction in aging

• HIF-1A& functions as a master regulator of cellular and systemic homeostatic response to hypoxia (low oxygen) by activating the transcription of many genes, including those involved in energy metabolism, angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels, and circulation), and much more.

Hyperbaric oxygen improves cognitive impairment

A total of 53 patients (42 with Alzheimer’s disease and 11 with mild cognitive impairment) were treated with a 20-day course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Each hyperbaric session consisted of 3 sequential parts; first, 20 minutes of oxygen breathing, followed by 15 minutes of breathing air, and finally 20 minutes of breathing oxygen under pressure at 1.2 ATA.

Results — One course (20 sessions) of hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly improved cognition in both Alzheimer's patients and patients with Mild Cognitive impairment, with the latter having more long-term benefits (&gt; 1 month). These results are very promising for Alzheimer's patients and suggest that it is possible that multiple courses might be the solution for giving significantly longer benefits to AD patients. More research is still needed <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps preserve cognitive function in a rat model of mild cognitive impairment

This study found that hyperbaric oxygen treatment has a protective effect on early cognitive function, especially memory in rats with mild cognitive impairment <view study>