Disease States

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Autism

HBOT can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, recent evidence demonstrates that HBOT mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow, which may aid symptoms in autistic individuals. Based on these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic individuals. (D Rossignol, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might improve certain pathophysiological findings in autism, 2006)

“After being diagnosed at age 20 months with classic autism, it wasn’t long before we realized that traditional therapies were not helping our son . . .”

Click here to read about how hyperbaric therapy helped this little boy. >> HBOT Autism Success Story at Hyperbaric Center of Alabama

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to increase oxygen perfusion, has potent anti-inflammatory effects, reduces oxidative stress and increases stem cell production. Studies have revealed that autism is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cerebral hypoperfusion, GI inflammation, and an increase in oxidative stress.

Hypoperfusion refers to a decreased flow of blood to an area. In autism, numerous studies have indicated a decrease in blood flow to the temporal regions of the brain. One PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan study of 11 autistic children revealed diminished blood flow to the left temporal area, which involves language comprehension and auditory processing. Other studies have demonstrated that 76% to as high as 86% of autistic children have decreased blood flow to the temporal areas, and that this hypoperfusion typically worsens as the age of the child increases. Still another study correlates hypoperfusion with many of the clinical signs associated with autism including self-stimulatory behaviors and impairment in sensory perception and social interaction.

How can oxygen delivered by HBOT help?
Cerebral hypoperfusion causes hypoxia (decreased oxygen), which can cause electrical failures in brain cells. Studies have shown that oxygen delivered by HBOT can reverse hypoxia in brain tissues caused by hypoperfusion. Some of these hypoxic brain cells have been described as “idling” because they remain alive but not functional. Restoration of oxygenation can help salvage these cells.

K.P.Stoller, M.D. says that the trend in treatment is to use a hard mono or multi-place HBOT chamber because he thinks physicians see more dramatic results when they can use 100% oxygen. Since the 1960’s the U.S. Navy has been using 100% oxygen in the treatment of decompression illness because researchers found it superior to compressed air.

Related Articles: