Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hyperbaric medicine is a therapeutic treatment in which patients are treated in a chamber with atmospheric pressures higher than the pressure at sea level (atmospheric pressure greater than 1.5 ATAs) with oxygen administration at 100%, thus achieving greater cell oxygenation.
Over the years, scientific evidence has shown us that hyperbaric treatment protocols improve the supply of oxygen to organs, thus improving their function. Therefore, it has been shown to improve brain function. A study from the University of Tel Aviv, managed to significantly improve with this study important points such as:
1. Reduction of Neuroinflammation.
2. Improvement of social behaviors.
This study was led by PhD student Inbar Fisher in the lab of Dr. Boaz Barak of the Sagol School of Neuroscience and Tel Aviv University School of Psychological Sciences, and was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
The origin of Autistic Disorder is multifactorial, where the 20% of the autistic population its cause is genetic, which implies genetic defects. This study focuses on the influence of this treatment and how it improves certain behavioral, social and physiological aspects.
In a study prior to the aforementioned, hyperbaric treatment was performed on a child patient carrying the InsG3680 mutation of the SHANK3 gene, which is known to lead to Autism Spectrum Disorder. After completing the treatment of a series of determined sessions, the patient presented frank improvement in their social abilities, cognitive performance and brain functions, the results were evidenced by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and parental reports regarding behavior.
Based on this, animal models carrying this specific mutation, the SHANK3 gene, were chosen for the new study. The treatment protocol included a series of 40 60-min treatment sessions in pressure chambers. There was evidence of a reduction in brain inflammation, an increase in substances responsible for improving the supply of blood and oxygen, which leads to a significant improvement in brain function.
One of the important observations is the decrease in microglial cells, which are part of the neuronal immune system and are a sensitive biomarker of brain inflammation, which is associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
In addition, an improvement in the aspect of social relationship could be evidenced in the animal models, the animal models that were subjected to hyperbaric treatment presented behaviors of social preference or social interest to unknown animal models, for which an improvement is evidenced. in cognition and memory.
Another of the parameters that is studied is the HIF-1 factor which is induced by hypoxia; Said factor has an alpha fraction, which is what induces the expression of genes responsible for tissue regeneration, angiogenesis mediators (formation of new capillaries for blood supply) such as VEGF, mitochondrial metabolism, and anti-inflammatory processes.
After the sessions in the hyperbaric chamber, a greater expression of said factor was observed in the brain of the animal model subjected to treatment compared to the untreated animal model.
Therefore, the study suggested hyperbaric chamber treatment as an effective treatment to improve the genetic condition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, evidencing:
- Reduces neuroinflammation.
- Increases the expression of Igf1.
- It improves social behavior in the models studied.
Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment
At Enevia Health we offer you the possibility of acquiring vouchers to perform hyperbaric treatment in Madrid, La Zarzuela University Hospital through the ATA Medical laboratory and in Barcelona at the CIMA Hospital:
60 minute sessions on
camera hyperbaric
90 minute sessions in
Hyperbaric chamber
Bibliography
Fischer, I.; Shohat, S.; Levy G.; Bar, E.; Schokoroy, S.; et al. Pressure Chamber Therapy Is Effective in the Functional Improvement of Autism. Int. J. Mol. 2022, 23(19), 11077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911077