Re: Study shows HBOT appears to help heal some old traumatic brain injuries

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http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.jns.2006.12.005

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Volume 253, Issues 1-2, 15 February 2007, Pages 94-105

Short communication

Pilot case study of the therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen

therapy on chronic brain injury

e Hardy, M. ston, Louis De Beaumont, L. Montgomery

M. Lecomte, Jean- Soucy, Bourbonnais and se Lassonde,

Abstract

Background

Recently, the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy was explored

in the treatment of chronic TBI. It has been speculated that idling

neurons in the penumbra zone remain viable several years after injury

and might be reactivated by enhanced oxygenation. We studied the

therapeutic potential of HBO2 therapy in a 54-year-old man who had

sustained traumatic brain injuries one year before testing that

resulted in permanent neurological symptoms.

Methods

Two treatment series separated by a one-year inter-session interval

were administered. Treatment series consisted of 20 and 60 daily

one-hour exposures to 100% oxygen at 2 ATA. Electrophysiological

(event-related potentials), metabolic and behavioral (sensorimotor and

neuropsychological) measurements were obtained to evaluate the effects

of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on neurocognitive functioning.

Results

Following the initial treatment, the patient showed improvements in

sensorimotor functions, as well as enhanced P300 amplitude in the

damaged hemisphere. Although most of these gains were no longer

observed one year after treatment, these were reinstated with an

additional series of 60 exposures. Neuropsychological improvements

were also observed after the completion of the second series of

treatments.

Conclusion

The present single-case study provides preliminary evidence of

neuropsychological and electrophysiological improvements after series

of 20 and 60 treatments, although the first dosage appeared to be

insufficient to produce permanent benefits. Longitudinal studies using

different treatment parameters should be conducted if we are to

systematically investigate long-term improvements resulting from HBO2

therapy.

Keywords: Hyperbaric oxygen; Brain injuries; Neuropsychology; ERPs;

P300; SPECT; MRI; Case report

Corresponding Author Contact Information

Corresponding author. Canada Research Chair in Developmental

Neuropsychology, Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal,

P.O. Box 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3C

3J7. Tel.: +1 514 343 6959; fax: +1 514 343 5787.