Breathing pure oxygen could ‘significantly slow its progression and severity’, scientists say
Alzheimer’s disease could be slowed down or even reversed using oxygen therapy, according to a new study
Alzheimer’s disease could be slowed down or even reversed using oxygen therapy, according to a new study.
Researchers say the therapy boosts the functioning of the human brains, and has been shown in animals to fight the build-up of brain plaque that is associated with the disease.
The team at Tel Aviv University monitored six people over the age of 60 ...
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/oxygen-therapy-alzheimers-b1917501.html
Oxygen therapy could halt or reverse Alzheimer’s, study finds
Alzheimer’s disease could be delayed or even reversed by giving oxygen therapy to patients in pressurised chambers, a study suggests.
Israeli researchers found that elderly patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment – a forerunner to dementia – had improved memory and brain functioning following regular 90-minute sessions in a hyperbaric chamber.
The pressure change allows more oxygen to be dissolved into the tissues and mimics a state of “hypoxia”, or oxygen shortage, which is known to have regenerating effects.
In separate animal studies, the researchers showed the therapy can help clear away sticky amyloid plaques in the brain, which stop cells from communicating and are a major sign of Alzheimer’s.
The team believes that the treatment works by changing the structure of vessels in the brain so that more blood can get through.
Prof Uri Ashery, of the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, said: “We have discovered for the first time that hyperbaric oxygen therapy induces degradation and clearance of pre-existing amyloid plaques and the appearance of newly formed plaques.
“Elderly patients suffering from significant memory loss at baseline revealed an increase in brain blood flow and improvement in cognitive performance, demonstrating hyperbaric oxygen therapy potency to reverse core elements responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Although experts said the findings needed to be replicated in a larger trial and that such therapy may be difficult to offer at scale, they said it could open doors in using oxygen therapy for the treatment of dementia.
“The paper presents an interesting approach, in particular reminding us of the importance of vascular factors in the development not only of vascular dementia but Alzheimer’s disease too,” said Tom Dening, professor of dementia research at Nottingham University.
More than 64,000 people in Ireland suffer from dementia and that figure is expected to more than double in the next 25 years. The prevalence of the disease is decreasing but the population is ageing.
Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
https://todayuknews.com/world-news/oxygen-therapy-could-halt-or-reverse-alzheimers-study-finds/
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer's disease
Dr. Paul Harch, Clinical Professor and Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and Dr. Edward Fogarty, Chairman of Radiology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, report the first PET scan-documented case of improvement in brain metabolism in Alzheimer's disease in a patient treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
The authors report the case of a 58-year-old female who had experienced five years of cognitive decline, which began accelerating rapidly. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) suggested Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging, which revealed global and typical metabolic deficits in Alzheimer's.
The patient underwent a total of 40 HBOT treatments -- five days a week over 66 days. Each treatment consisted of 1.15 atmosphere absolute/50 minutes total treatment time. After 21 treatments, the patient reported increased energy and level of activity, better mood and ability to perform daily living activities as well as work crossword puzzles. After 40 treatments, she reported increased memory and concentration, sleep, conversation, appetite, ability to use the computer, more good days (5/7) than bad days, resolved anxiety, and decreased disorientation and frustration. Tremor, deep knee bend, tandem gain, and motor speed were also improved. Repeat 18FDG PET imaging one month post-HBOT showed global 6.5-38% improvement in brain metabolism.
"We demonstrated the largest improvement in brain metabolism of any therapy for Alzheimer's disease," notes Dr. Harch. "HBOT in this patient may be the first treatment not only to halt, but temporarily reverse disease progression in Alzheimer's disease."
The report also contains video imaging, including unique rotating PET 3D Surface Reconstructions, which allow the lay person to easily see the improvements in brain function.
"PET imaging is used around the world as a biomarker in oncology and cardiology to assay responses to therapy," says Dr. Fogarty. "We now have an irrefutable biomarker system that this intervention has promise where no other real hope for recovery of dementia has ever existed before."
The physicians report that two months post-HBOT, the patient felt a recurrence in her symptoms. She was retreated over the next 20 months with 56 HBOTs (total 96) at the same dose, supplemental oxygen, and medications with stability of her symptoms and Folstein Mini-Mental Status exam.
According to the National Institutes of Health, "Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Alzheimer's disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, but recent estimates indicate that the disorder may rank third, just behind heart disease and cancer, as a cause of death for older people."
The authors note that four pathological processes have been identified and primary treatment is with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, which have been shown to have a positive impact on Alzheimer's disease progression with no significant disease-modifying effects.
HBOT is an epigenetic modulation of gene expression and suppression to treat wounds and disease pathophysiology, particularly inflammation. HBOT targets all four of the pathological processes of AD by affecting the microcirculation; mitochondrial dysfunction, and biogenesis; reducing amyloid burden and tau phosphorylation; controlling oxidative stress; and reducing inflammation.
The first successful HBOT-treated case of Alzheimer's disease was published in 2001. The present case report is the first patient in a series of 11 HBOT-treated patients with Alzheimer's disease whose symptomatic improvement is documented with 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG PET). "Our results suggest the possibility of treating Alzheimer's disease long-term with HBOT and pharmacotherapy," concludes Harch.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- PaulG Harch, EdwardF Fogarty. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia with positron emission tomography imaging: A case report. Medical Gas Research, 2018; 8 (4): 181 DOI: 10.4103/2045-9912.248271
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190124124742.htm#:~:text=Date%3A,oxygen%20therapy%20(HBOT).
