Summary of Study
The study, titled “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy alleviates vascular dysfunction and amyloid burden in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model and in elderly patients,” examines if hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms by improving blood flow in the brain and decreasing harmful plaques. Researchers aimed to see if boosting oxygen in the brain through HBOT could slow cognitive decline and support brain function in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Methodology
Researchers worked with both mice diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and elderly patients experiencing memory loss. Mice received daily hyperbaric treatments for four weeks, while elderly patients completed 60 HBOT sessions over three months. They measured blood flow in the brain and tested memory skills before and after treatment. Additionally, they analyzed mouse brain tissues for plaque buildup.
Results
HBOT significantly boosted blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain, leading to improved memory and cognitive functions in both mice and elderly patients. In the Alzheimer’s mice, HBOT reduced plaque size and prevented new plaques from forming. In human patients, HBOT led to higher memory test scores and increased blood flow in brain areas essential for memory and focus.
Conclusion
This study shows that hyperbaric therapy offers a promising approach to improve brain function in Alzheimer’s patients by enhancing blood flow and reducing harmful plaques. HBOT provides a non-invasive option to slow cognitive decline and support memory, offering hope for those with Alzheimer’s and age-related memory issues.
Source: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy alleviates vascular dysfunction and amyloid burden in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model and in elderly patients | Ronit Shapira, Amos Gdalyahu, Irit Gottfried, Efrat Sasson, Amir Hadanny, Shai Efrati, Pablo Blinder, Uri Ashery | DOI: 10.18632/aging.203485 | PMCID: PMC8457592  PMID: 34499614