Treating Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurodevelopmental disorders have a wide range from mild impairments to those severely impacting a person’s life. They impact the brain during neurological development, which is why hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve function in these individuals. The brain requires a tremendous amount of oxygen to function appropriately. Healing requires even more oxygen as it creates the energy needed for regeneration of cellular processes.

Through the use of functional MRI, SPECT and PET scans, we’ve been able to hyperbaric oxygen therapy improving the brains of these patients as have also been reported by families and by the patients themselves.

Common conditions?

Neurodevelopmental Disorders are an umbrella term that may include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Aspbergers
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Learning Disabilities
• Cerebral Palsy
• Speech and Language Disorders
• Tourette Syndrome
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Schizophrenia
• Hearing and Visual Impairment

How can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help with Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

• providing abundant levels of plasma-rich oxygen to our brain tissue for healing
• reducing neuro-inflammation throughout our brain and body
• stimulating release of growth factors such as trophic factor to enhance neuroplasticity for the repair and regeneration of brain cells and their connections (synapses)
• stimulating growth of new blood vessels to supply the brain with greater circulation and oxygen to promote brain repair and regeneration by releasing greater amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor
• balancing our fight or flight and relaxation and digestion systems by strengthening the health of our autonomic nervous system, impacting blood flow within our brain that leads to dizziness, headaches, slow processing, memory changes and many other symptoms
• increasing stem cell production for healing
• improving detoxification
• enhancing cerebrospinal fluid flow

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder associated with hypoperfusion to several areas of the brain, defects of neurogenesis, and impairments of neuronal migration (Wegiel et al.). Thereby, increasing blood flow and oxygen to these regions could provide a potential therapeutic benefit to ASD patients. In fact, Rossignol and others found that 40-hours of HBOT, 24% oxygen at 1.3 ATM produced significant improvement in children’s overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to those receiving slightly pressurized room air.

Increasing blood flow to the brain increases oxygen and other nutrients that can improve brain function and stimulate Neuroplasticity, which is how we rewire our brains to function desirably and can improve focus, concentration and behavior in ADHD spectrum children. Incorporating functional neurology rehabilitation as seen in Chiropractic Neurology, Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology would be additionally beneficial in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy to maximize brain changes.

Clinically, we have experienced positive success with ASD patients at our clinic. It’s extremely safe and is often tolerated well by these patients, especially when joined by parents during hyperbaric oxygen therapy when necessary.