Summary of Study
The study, “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Alzheimer’s Dementia with Positron Emission Tomography Imaging: A Case Report,” examines the effects of hyperbaric therapy for Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) on a 58-year-old woman diagnosed with rapidly progressing AD. The goal was to determine if HBOT could improve cognitive function and brain metabolism in patients with AD, a condition for which there is currently no effective long-term treatment. Using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, the study assessed changes in brain activity before and after a series of hyperbaric treatments.
Methodology
The patient received 40 hyperbaric oxygen treatments over eight weeks, with each session conducted at 1.15 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 50 minutes, five days a week. Prior to HBOT, PET imaging showed reduced brain metabolism in areas commonly affected by Alzheimer’s, specifically the posterior temporal-parietal and cingulate regions. These baseline images provided a comparison point for post-treatment brain activity, allowing researchers to gauge any metabolic changes resulting from the hyperbaric therapy.
Results
After completing the hyperbaric therapy, the patient reported improvements in memory, concentration, and daily functioning. Her ability to perform tasks like drawing, using a computer, and solving puzzles significantly increased. Follow-up PET imaging showed a 6.5–38% boost in brain metabolism across multiple regions, particularly in areas most impacted by Alzheimer’s. Although the patient experienced a mild recurrence of symptoms two months post-treatment, additional HBOT sessions, combined with standard medications, helped maintain her cognitive stability over the following 22 months.
Conclusion
This case highlights the potential of hyperbaric therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia as a supportive treatment. The improvements in brain metabolism observed through PET imaging suggest that HBOT may address key pathological areas impacted by AD, such as blood flow and inflammation. By providing both symptomatic relief and measurable metabolic benefits, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could offer a promising approach for managing Alzheimer’s disease and improving the quality of life for patients. This study encourages further exploration of HBOT as a long-term treatment option in conjunction with traditional pharmacotherapy.
Source: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia with positron emission tomography imaging: a case report | Paul G Harch , Edward F Fogarty | PMID: 30713673 | PMCID: PMC6352566 | DOI: 10.4103/2045-9912.248271