Outcome

This study provides compelling evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly benefit those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related memory loss. By undertaking 20 treatments over 4 weeks both in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and elderly patients with significant memory loss HBOT was shown to reduce amyloid plaques and alleviate hypoxia thereby promoting healthier brain function.

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a prevalent and challenging neurodegenerative disorder often accompanied by memory loss and cognitive decline. Recent research has been exploring innovative treatments to address the underlying mechanisms of AD. This study investigates Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a potential intervention for Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive impairment. Utilizing 5XFAD mice a well-established model for AD and a small cohort of elderly patients with significant memory loss the research examines the impact of administering 100% oxygen at a pressure of 2 ATA. Findings indicate that HBOT significantly reduces amyloid plaques in the brain improves cerebral blood flow and enhances cognitive function. Both animal and human subjects showed improved cognitive and behavioral performance suggesting that HBOT could be an effective treatment to mitigate vascular dysfunction and amyloid burden associated with Alzheimer’s disease and aging. This study opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at combating AD and related cognitive disorders.

Results

The study investigated the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using the 5XFAD mouse model and a small cohort of elderly patients with significant memory loss.

In the 5XFAD mouse model 6-month-old mice underwent 20 HBOT sessions over four weeks. Results demonstrated a reduction in amyloid burden within the hippocampus indicated by a decreased hippocampal area occupied by plaques fewer and smaller amyloid plaques and reduced levels of insoluble Aβ42 and Aβ40. Live two-photon imaging corroborated these findings showing that HBOT reduced the formation of new plaques and diminished the volume of existing ones.

Biochemical analyses revealed that HBOT decreased levels of BACE1 and presenilin1 enzymes crucial to amyloid precursor protein processing resulting in lower C99 levels. Concurrently HBOT increased the levels of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) proteins involved in amyloid beta (Aβ) degradation and clearance.

Additionally HBOT alleviated vascular abnormalities by expanding blood vessel diameter and arteriolar lumen size. This led to enhanced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduced brain hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) levels. These vascular improvements were associated with enhanced cognitive performance and better behavioral outcomes in the treated mice.

In the human cohort elderly patients with memory loss who received HBOT exhibited increased cerebral blood flow and improved cognitive function. These findings indicate that HBOT can effectively enhance brain function by reducing amyloid burden and ameliorating vascular dysfunction.

Overall the results suggest that HBOT can mitigate amyloid plaques and vascular dysfunction leading to improved cognitive function in both murine models of Alzheimer’s disease and elderly patients with memory impairment.

Conclusion

In conclusion this study provides compelling evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can offer significant benefits for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related cognitive decline. The therapeutic application of HBOT reduced amyloid plaques enhanced cerebral blood flow and improved cognitive performance both in 5XFAD mice an AD model and elderly humans with memory loss. These findings indicate HBOT’s potential to alleviate vascular dysfunction and amyloid burden contributing to healthier brain function. The promising outcomes of this study suggest that HBOT could be a valuable intervention for managing cognitive decline and neurological conditions associated with AD and aging. Future research should focus on further elucidating the mechanisms of HBOT optimizing treatment protocols and conducting larger clinical trials to confirm its efficacy and safety in diverse patient populations.