HBOT & Hippocampal Cerebral Blood Flow

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) has been renowned for years as a safe and highly effective treatment for conditions like diabetic wound healing, post-operative recovery, and decompression sickness. HBOT involves breathing 100% infused oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This enables oxygen to reach every part of the body, where it both repairs damaged cells and encourages new cellular growth (1). At the same time, HBOT promotes circulation and stem cell growth, which reduces inflammation and supports the immune system (1).

Recent studies have found that HBOT can also change neural activities in the brain, which might make it an effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders (2). A 2021 study looked at the effects of 20 sessions of HBOT on 20 firefighters with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). The study sought to determine whether HBOT can actually change regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in these firefighters, and whether this would reduce their emotional distress. Participants’ rCBF was measured before and after treatment with a specialized MRI machine.

The results were promising: the firefighters treated with HBOT showed increased rCBF. Past research has found links between impaired or increased rCBF in certain regions of the brain in patients with psychiatric disorders like mania, depression, and schizophrenia. Theoretically, HBOT could reduce the often debilitating symptoms of TBIs and psychiatric disorders by changing the regional cerebral blood flow.

There is a lot of research currently being done on HBOT’s effectiveness at treating TBIs. An especially promising national research study called “Hyperbaric Oxygen Brain Injury Treatment” (HOBIT) is ongoing. We are following the results of this national study, and have read promising literature by researchers at UC SAn Diego Health, who recently joined the study. "Once the brain is injured, it is hard to reverse that injury," according to Ian Grover, medical director for the Hyperbaric and Wound Care Center at UC San Diego Medical Center (3). 

His U.C. San Diego colleague, trauma medical director Todd Costantini, added: "The theory is that the hyperbaric oxygen will one, decrease swelling of the brain after it's been injured. And number two, it will deliver oxygen to the injured tissue," Costantini said (3). According to U.C. San Diego’s press release, “This is the first randomized, controlled trial analyzing the effects that hyperbaric oxygen treatment has on outcomes following brain injury and preliminary studies have demonstrated that it may improve neurological recovery” (4). 

We are excited that there has been yet another study showing how effective HBOT can be at treating traumatic brain injuries, which have historically been difficult or impossible to cure. This low-risk, highly effective treatment could improve the quality of life of many patients suffering from the effects of TBI. In addition to the research, we have seen in our clinic the life-changing benefits of HBOT for TBI. 

If you or a loved one has is suffering from a TBI or psychiatric disorder, we would love to support you. We will provide more details and answer any questions about our HBOT protocol for TBI and psychiatric disorders. Our state-of-the art spa features knowledgeable staff, a relaxing environment, and comfortable hyperbaric chambers. We’d love to answer your questions, and look forward to working with you. Give us a call.

SOURCES:

  1. Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380.

  2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10072-021-05094-5

  3. Brandeis, Amanda. “Study Tests Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Hours after Severe Brain Injury.” KMGH, KMGH, 26 Aug. 2020, www.thedenverchannel.com/news/science-tech/study-tests-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hours-after-severe-brain-injury. 

  4. Vazquez, Jeanna. “Expanding Treatment Options for Severe Brain Trauma.” UC Health - UC San Diego, UC San Diego, 23 July 2020, health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-23-expanding-treatment-options-for-severe-brain-trauma.aspx. 

Alexandra Williams