Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: a potential Alzheimer's disease modifier?

Date

2021

Authors

Sumien, Nathalie
Mensah-Kane, Paapa
Dory, Lad
Vann, Philip

ORCID

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Purpose: Current treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is symptomatic, involving anti-cholinesterase and an NMDA antagonist. Over time, this increase in AD incidence, will bring dire consequences not just on the quality of life but also as an economical burden, as Medicare spending for AD is projected to increase to 1 trillion by the year 2050. Based on these numbers, it necessary to identify a solution. It is therefore, not surprising that the Alzheimer's Project Act was passed about 9 years ago to support this course. Though a complex disease, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are key factors in the pathogenesis. Procedures or treatments that tend to reduce these two factors could probably reverse/modify the progression of the disease. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) seems promising for neurological conditions. Therefore, we aim to explore whether HBOT can improve cognition Methods: Young and adult mice were each divided into 4 groups consisting of control-HBOT, control+HBOT, 5xFAD-HBOT and 5xFAD+HBOT. HBOT was started at either 4 or 9 months and continued until the mice were euthanized. Two behavioral tests to study cognition were used. Results: HBOT reversed the deficits in the 5xFAD in the adult mice but not in the young ones. Conclusion: This work though preliminary does support HBOT as a viable option. More work is needed to determine the optimal timing and frequency of the treatment, as well as the mechanism of action underlying its benefits.

Description

Keywords

Citation

Collections