New hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol can improve cognitive function of
older adults
Research published today in peer-reviewed journal Aging

Date:
July 15, 2020
Source:
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Summary:
A new study has demonstrated for the first time that hyperbaric
oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly enhance the cognitive
performance of healthy older adults.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical
Center, together with the Sackler School of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, announced today that a peer-reviewed
study has demonstrated for the first time that hyperbaric oxygen therapy
(HBOT) can significantly enhance the cognitive performance of healthy
older adults.


==========================================================================
The main areas of improvement were attention, information processing
speed, and executive function, in addition to the global cognitive
function, all of which typically decline with age. Moreover, there was
a significant correlation between the cognitive changes and improved
cerebral blood flow in specific brain locations.

The study was published on July 15, 2020, in the peer-reviewed journal
Aging.

Professor Shai Efrati, Head of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine
and Research, and Head of Research & Development at Shamir Medical Center,
and an Associate Professor at Sackler School of Medicine and Sagol School
of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, and Dr. Amir Hadanny, the Sagol
Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, designed the study based
on a unique HBOT protocol developed at the Sagol Center over the past 10
years. The randomized controlled clinical trial included 63 healthy adults (>64) who underwent either HBOT (n=33) or a control period (n=30) for
three months. The study's primary endpoint included a change in general cognitive function measured by a standardized comprehensive battery of computerized cognitive assessments before and after the intervention
or control. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was evaluated by a novel magnetic resonance imaging technique for brain perfusion.

"Age-related cognitive and functional decline has become a significant
concern in the Western world. Major research efforts around the world are focused on improving the cognitive performance of the so-called 'normal'
aging population," said Prof. Efrati. "In our study, for the first time
in humans, we have found an effective and safe medical intervention that
can address this unwanted consequence of our age-related deterioration."
"Over years of research, we have developed an advanced understanding
of HBOT's ability to restore brain function. In the past, we have
demonstrated HBOT's potential to improve/treat brain injuries such
as stroke, traumatic brain injury and anoxic brain injury (due to
sustained lack of oxygen supply) by increasing brain blood flow and metabolism," explained Dr. Amir Hadanny. "This landmark research could
have a far-reaching impact on the way we view the aging process and the
ability to treat its symptoms." During HBOT, the patient breaths in pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber where the air pressure is increased to
twice that of normal air. This process increases oxygen solubility in
the blood that travels throughout the body. The added oxygen stimulates
the release of growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing. HBOT
has been applied worldwide mostly to treat chronic non- healing wounds.

There is a growing body of evidence on the regenerative effects of
HBOT. The researchers have demonstrated that the combined action of
delivering high levels of oxygen (hyperoxia) and pressure (hyperbaric environment), leads to significant improvement in tissue oxygenation
while targeting both oxygen and pressure sensitive genes, resulting in
restored and enhanced tissue metabolism.

Moreover, these targeted genes induce stem cell proliferation, reduce inflammation and induce generation of new blood vessels and tissue
repair mechanisms.

"The occlusion of small blood vessels, similar to the occlusions which
may develop in the pipes of an 'aging' home, is a dominant element in
the human aging process. This led us to speculate that HBOT may affect
brain performance of the aging population," Prof. Efrati explained. "We
found that HBOT induced a significant increase in brain blood flow,
which correlated with cognitive improvement, confirming our theory. One
can conjecture that similar beneficial effect of HBOT can be induced
in other organs of the aging body. These will be investigated in our
upcoming research."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
American_Friends_of_Tel_Aviv_University. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Hadanny Amir, Daniel-Kotovsky Malka, Suzin Gil, Boussi-Gross Rahav,
Catalogna Merav, Dagan Kobi, Hachmo Yafit, Abu Hamed Ramzia,
Sasson Efrat, Fishlev Gregory, Lang Erez, Polak Nir, Doenyas
Keren, Friedman Mony, Tal Sigal, Zemel Yonatan, Bechor Yair,
Efrati Shai. Cognitive enhancement of healthy older adults using
hyperbaric oxygen: a randomized controlled trial. Aging, 2020;
DOI: 10.18632/aging.103571 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200715123143.htm

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