Outcome

This study highlights the promising potential of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) as an alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). By addressing hypoxic conditions in the brain HBOT significantly improved cognitive functions as evidenced by enhanced Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores in patients treated with this therapy.

Introduction

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has garnered attention as a potential therapeutic approach for cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber which can enhance tissue oxygenation and alleviate hypoxia a condition contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigates the effects of HBOT on cognitive function and daily living activities in patients with AD and aMCI. The treatment regimen consisted of daily HBOT sessions over a span of 20 days. The results indicated significant improvements in cognitive function as measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores as well as enhanced Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores in the HBOT-treated group at various follow-up intervals. Additionally FDG-PET scans revealed amelioration of reduced brain glucose metabolism in patients undergoing HBOT. These findings suggest that HBOT could serve as a promising alternative therapy for improving cognitive functions and daily living capabilities in individuals suffering from AD and aMCI.

Results

The study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) involving 42 AD patients 11 aMCI patients and 30 control AD patients. The treatment included daily 40-minute sessions of HBOT over 20 consecutive days with cognitive functions assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale before and after treatment at 1 3 and 6 months.

Significant cognitive improvements were observed in patients who received HBOT. For AD patients:

• Both MMSE and MoCA scores showed significant improvements at the 1-month follow-up.
• ADL scores also improved at both the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups.

For aMCI patients:

• MMSE scores improved at the 3-month follow-up.
• MoCA scores showed improvements at both the 1-month and 6-month follow-ups.

Compared to the untreated control AD patients those who received HBOT demonstrated significant improvements in MMSE and MoCA scores at the 1-month follow-up. Additionally fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans revealed that HBOT ameliorated reduced glucose metabolism in various brain regions for both AD and aMCI patients.

These findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen treatment significantly improves cognitive functions and daily living activities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore HBOT appears to enhance brain glucose metabolism in these patient groups indicating its potential as a therapeutic approach for cognitive impairments related to aging.

Conclusion

In conclusion this study underscores the promising potential of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The therapy significantly enhanced cognitive functions demonstrated by improved Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and increased the ability to perform daily activities as reflected in higher Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores. Additionally HBOT improved brain glucose metabolism according to FDG-PET scans indicating a positive impact on brain function. These findings suggest that HBOT could serve as a beneficial alternative or complementary treatment for cognitive impairments associated with AD and aMCI. Future research should explore the long-term effects of HBOT optimal treatment protocols and underlying mechanisms to further validate and refine this therapeutic approach.