New hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol can improve cognitive function in the elderly

The Shamir Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at the Shamir Medical Center, together with the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and the Sagor School of Neuroscience, today is the first peer-review study to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for healthy older adults. It can significantly improve your cognitive ability.

The main areas of improvement are attention, information processing speed, and executive function, which, in addition to global cognitive function, all decline with age. In addition, cognitive changes and improved Cerebral blood flow In particular brain place.

This study was published in a peer-reviewed journal on July 15, 2020. aging..

Sagol Director of High Pressure Medical Research Center, Shamir Medical Center Director of Research and Development, Professor Shai Efrati, Tel Aviv University Sackler Medical School and Sagol Neuroscience Faculty Associate Professor, and Dr. Amir Hadanny Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research The study was designed based on the unique HBOT protocol developed at the center. The randomized controlled clinical trial included 63 healthy adults (>64) who underwent either HBOT (n = 33) or control period (n = 30) for 3 months. The study’s primary endpoints included changes in general cognitive function before and after intervention or control, as measured by a standardized comprehensive battery of computerized cognitive assessments. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was evaluated by a new magnetic resonance imaging technique for cerebral perfusion.

“Age-related decline in cognitive function has become a major concern in Western Europe,” says Ephrati. Major research activities around the world focus on improving cognitive performance in so-called “normal” aged populations. I’m guessing.” “Our study, for the first time in humans, discovered effective and safe medical interventions that could address this undesirable consequence of age-related deterioration.”

“Over the years, we have come to a deeper understanding of HBOT’s ability to restore brain function. In the past, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and anoxic brain injury ) Demonstrated the potential of HBOT to ameliorate/treat brain damage such as) Lack of oxygen supply due to increased blood flow and metabolism in the brain)), explained Dr. Amir Hadani. “This groundbreaking study could have far-reaching implications for how we see the aging process and our ability to treat its symptoms.”

During HBOT, the patient breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber where the air pressure is increased to twice that of normal air. This process increases the solubility of oxygen in the blood that travels throughout the body. The added oxygen stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, promoting healing. HBOT is mainly applied worldwide for the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds.

The evidence for the regenerative effects of HBOT continues to grow. The researchers found that the combined action of supplying high levels of oxygen (hyperoxygen) and pressure (hyperbaric environment) significantly improved tissue oxygenation, while targeting both oxygen and pressure-sensitive genes. , Demonstrated that it results in restoration and enhancement of tissue metabolism. In addition, these target genes induce stem cell proliferation, reduce inflammation, and induce new blood vessel formation and tissue repair mechanisms.

“Small blood vessel obstructions, similar to those that can occur in “aged” home pipes, are a major component of the human aging process. This speculates that HBOT may affect brain performance in the aging population,” explained Ephrati. “We confirmed the theory that HBOT induces a significant increase in cerebral blood flow, which correlates with cognitive improvement. A similar beneficial effect of HBOT was found in other organs of the aged body. It can be inferred that it will also be induced.