Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or m-HBOT is effective and safe for autism treatment, according to the latest scientific research. The treatment involves simply having the autistic child inside a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber – a pressurized enclosure with higher than normal atmospheric pressure.
Dr Jerry Kartzinel first discussed HBOT, as a possible treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders at a conference in June 2005. Many health care professionals who treat autistic individuals have since reported excellent results using the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber.
There is not a great deal of scientific research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as it is still something relatively new. However, the latest research findings have been strongly positive. Some of these findings were recently discussed at an online CME Level conference by Exceptional Parents on 13 September 2006. Speakers at this online conference include:
- Jeff Bradstreet, MD,
- Dan Rossigial, MD,
- Paul Harch, MD,
- John Kutuz, MD.
Summary
Dr. Paul Harch reviewed the scientific literature and put forth a basis of how HBOT is helpful in brain injury treatment.
Dr. Jeff Bradstreet highlighted the high dependence of brain cells on oxygen. Mitochondrial dysfunction is often detected in autism and this results in lack of oxygen in the brain which can trigger a cycle of brain inflammation and low blood and oxygen flows.
There is evidence that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT restores oxygen to the brain and breaks this vicious cycle. The evidence also suggests that the benefits are sustainable even after active treatment.
It was noted that mild HBOT using low pressures and ambient air – as opposed to standard HBOT using high pressure and 100 oxygen – works well. At times, mild HBOT was found to be even better than standard HBOT. The speculation is that the brain injured child does not need a lot of pressure and oxygen to begin the repair process. It was also noted that the benefits were dose dependent. Generally, the child needs 40 to 50 treatment sessions to experience significant benefits.
Dr Dan Rossigial showed that HBOT helps autistic children in the following areas:
- Relative Cerebral Hypoperfusion
- Neuroinflammation and GI Inflammation
- Immune Dysfunction
- Oxidative Stress
- Relative Mitochondrial Dysfunction
- Serotonin Abnormalities
- Dysbiosis
The possible mechanisms by which Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy works, along with more published scientific literature, were also discussed. Cerebral palsy – brain injury, often leading to limited motor skills, speech difficulties, learning disabilities, or other problems.
