Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treat Lyme Disease?

 

Lyme Disease ranks as the most common tick-borne illness in many parts of the world, including the United States, Europe and Asia. It’s also among the hardest to treat, with many patients getting little relief from common treatments that involve antibiotics.

As many as 300,000 may get Lyme Disease each year in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Untreated Lyme Disease can lead many symptoms, including fever, rash, facial paralysis and arthritis.

Recent research has found that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) can treat Lyme Disease and may prove especially effective for those who are resistant to other treatments.

Aviv Clinic currently offers personalized HBOT protocols at the clinic in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Dubai, U.A.E.

Currently, Aviv doctors are seeing success with treatment of Lyme patients who have received antibiotics for at least 10 years without significant improvement. The patients report feeling better than they have in years and in some cases have stopped taking antibiotics.  

 

The Biology and Impact of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is caused by the spirochete B. burgdorferi, a microaerophilic organism carried by the Deer tick and transferred to humans through the tick’s bite. Symptoms typically start with a bullseye rash and erythema migrans, a slightly raised lesion at the point of the tick bite. They then can advance to joint and muscle pain, sore throat, fever, swollen glands and mental fogginess.

If not diagnosed within the first month or two, the disease may become a chronic infection. Research shows it becomes sequestered in cells which protect it from effective treatment.

Recent autopsy reports have shown how ineffective antibiotics can prove in some cases. They found that the spirochete continues to live in the human body in multiple areas, including the inferior wall of the heart, tendons, muscle tissue and in the brain.

Previous autopsy reports on beagles and rhesus monkeys produced similar findings, even after they had received 15 to 20 years of antibiotics. Resistance to antibiotics comes from plasmids, including the Spire key that causes Lyme disease. Also, a biofilm protects both the spirochete and spirochetal DNA.

HBOT’s Impact on Lyme Disease

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment involves the inhalation of 100% pure oxygen while sitting in a hyperbaric suite which is pressurized with air to above atmospheric levels. During these sessions, oxygen levels in the body’s tissues rise to 10-15 times over that of normal conditions. In the 1990s, researchers at Texas A&M University found that HBOT treatments proved effective in treating Lyme Disease, because the higher pressurized atmosphere produced oxygen levels that killed off the bacterium that cause the disease. Chinese researchers also reported that they eliminated Lyme disease symptoms in a patient from Taiwan using HBOT treatments after treatments using antibiotics had failed.

Treatments at Aviv Clinic increases inter vascular oxygen concentration to 1,500 times more than normal diffusion into the regular tissues, including the protective biofilm, eradicating the spirochaetes. The results with current patients indicate the spirochete that causes Lyme disease cannot live in an oxygen-rich environment.

HBOT  treats many of the neurological conditions associated with Lyme Disease, leading to less fatigue, better energy, more sleep and less joint pain. HBOT also supports maintaining healthy cognitive function as we age and our bodies become less efficient at processing oxygen. HBOT enhances both brain and body performance by boosting patient’s access to oxygen.

In addition to the potential for treating Lyme Disease, recent research has found that HBOT reversed aging in the brain and is a successful treatment for anoxic brain injury patients.

For more information about Aviv Clinic’s specialized treatment for Lyme disease, please contact the clinic.

Telomeres and Reverse Aging: A Deep Dive into the Connection

Aging seems to be an inescapable part of life: spines shrink, skin wrinkles, and attention spans dissipate. But what if aging was escapable—or at least reversible? What if scientists were able to target the root cause of aging in our very own cells and treat it as if it were an illness?

Researchers in Israel have conducted the world’s first study to prove that biological aging can be reversed: 

• Scientists were able to reverse the biological aging process in “thirty-five healthy independently living adults, aged 64 and older.” Through the targeted application of a unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol. 
• Telomeres are one of the critical biomarkers of age, and they naturally shorten during the aging process. The research study showed HBOT may help with “increasing telomere length…in the aging populations.” 
• These findings are truly groundbreaking, given the accessibility of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. However, Aviv Clinics in central Florida is the only center in the United States to offer this unique HBOT treatment protocol.

So how did these researchers manage to accomplish such a seemingly impossible task that existed only in science fiction just 50 years ago? The answer lies in telomeres—a critical component of your DNA.

What Are Telomeres?

A telomere is a protective cap found at the end of each DNA strand in the human body. They are considered one of “two key hallmarks of the aging process.” 

The two types of age to keep in mind are: 

• Chronological age, or how many birthdays you have had
• Biological age, or the age that reflects your body’s functions

When considering telomeres, here’s how they manifest in age: 

• Short telomeres equate to an older biological age.
• Longer telomeres equate to a healthier, younger biological age. 

So it is entirely within reason for a healthy 60-year-old (chronological age) to be much younger (biologically speaking) if they have long, healthy telomeres to continue to protect their cells.

Telomeres and Shoelaces

Telomeres work much like the hardened end caps of shoelaces. Those components on your shoelaces protect the delicate strings they are connected to. Without a protective cap, a shoelace can quickly become frayed and unusable. 

As long as the cap persists, a shoelace can stay intact for quite some time. Similarly, telomeres prevent damage from occurring to your underlying DNA: 

• With intact telomeres, your cells are protected and they can continue functioning like normal. 
• Without telomeres, your cells essentially begin to age and die.

Telomeres and DNA 

DNA is a commonly understood component of human biology. Few people go through life consciously thinking about how DNA functions. 

Let’s change that with some facts:

• Your DNA contains the biological instructions necessary for your body to continue developing. 
• Millions upon millions of cellular processes occur within a human body at any given time. 

DNA manages those processes, calmly instructing your cells to divide, consume, and produce complex proteins to stay alive. Telomeres play a vital role in this function.

Telomere Length Naturally Decreases with Age

As we age chronologically, our telomeres naturally shorten. This exposes our DNA, leaving our bodies vulnerable to the diseases and effects of aging. 

Some of the common diseases of aging—onset by shortened telomeres—include: 

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Dementia

When the telomeres in your cells become too short, they enter an aged, unhealthy state called senescence. In senescence, a cell can no longer divide to continue replenishing the body’s vital tissues, which makes a person more susceptible to the diseases listed above.

Stress May Impact Telomere Length

External factors like stress can also affect telomere length. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports: 

• “Chronic stress and cortisol exposure decrease your supply” of telomerase—the enzyme that replenishes telomeres. So when stress affects your life heavily, you become more susceptible to shorter telomeres.
• Stress is now “one of the most consistent predictors of shorter telomere length.” Exposure to life hardships (e.g., childhood neglect or caregiving in late adulthood) has been particularly noted for its impact on telomere length.

How Aging Manifests

Keep in mind, aging can look different for everyone. Some individuals may notice physical or cognitive changes as they age. 

Physical changes may include:

• Wrinkled or sagging skin
• Whitening or graying hair 
• Immune, metabolic, kidney, or liver issues 

Cognitive changes may include: 

• Memory trouble 
• Mood shifts 
• Slower executive function (e.g., thinking and decision-making, multitasking)

What Is Reverse Aging?

Now for some good news: Whatever type of aging you face, reversing it is possible. When referring to “reverse aging,” we mean biological age. Though chronological aging is inevitable, certain treatments can manage some of the biological shifts that occur because of natural aging and external factors.

The Research Behind Telomeres and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

With the importance of telomeres and aging now understood, most people ultimately want to know: 

• How to protect their telomeres, and
• How to repair any degradation that has already occurred.

The scientific research team led by Dr. Shai Efrati, founder and director of the renowned Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research in Israel, proved—for the first time—that reversing biological aging is possible. 

By using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), Dr. Efrati and his team of scientists were able to increase the length of telomeres in people aged 65 or older by more than 20%.

Research Method

HBOT involves the patient inhaling pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This study was conducted on 35 different adults aged 65 and higher. Patients had their blood measured before the study, as well as during the 30th and 60th sessions of HBOT.

Research Findings

The findings were truly unbelievable:  

• The telomere length of patients who received HBOT “increased significantly by over 20% following HBOT”—in just three months! 
• “There was a significant decrease in the number of senescent [cells],” reducing the number of these dangerous, aging cells with little-to-no telomere length by as much as 37%. 

These findings were the basis for creating the cutting-edge HBOT protocol only available at Aviv Clinics.

 

 

 

How Can I Protect My Telomeres?

“Telomere length is genetically determined, with heritability estimates ranging from 44% to 80%.” Fortunately, that still leaves you with a wide margin to protect! 

Thankfully, there are many different ways you can protect your existing telomeres and thus control damage and the negative impacts of aging. These include:

1. Exercise Regularly 

Research has shown that people with high levels of physical activity have significantly longer telomeres than moderately active or sedentary adults. More specifically, adults who regularly exercise demonstrate a biological age difference of nine years when compared to those who don’t.

2. Maintain a Balanced Diet

Like regular exercise, a balanced diet is crucial in protecting telomere length. High levels of body fat create high levels of oxidative stress—stress that directly affects your cellular integrity.

To protect the length of your telomeres, you must reduce the levels of oxidative stress in your body. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet rich in antioxidants can provide your DNA with the proper protection it needs to maintain healthy, long telomeres.

3. Avoid Smoking & Alcohol Use

You already know that smoking and drinking alcohol aren’t the healthiest decisions—but did you know that people who smoke have shorter telomeres than those who don’t? 

Likewise, people who excessively consume alcohol experience faster levels of biological aging than those who don’t. The science is in: If you’re interested in protecting the length of your telomeres, stay away from tobacco and alcohol.

4. Manage Stress

Stress, especially higher cortisol levels, is one of the main reasons for shortened telomeres. Stress takes many forms, but we are mainly concerned with psychological, chronic, and life-related stress.

These kinds of stress raise the levels of oxidative stress placed on the cells of your immune system. Fortunately, there are many wonderful methods for mitigating stress in our daily lives. Whether it is mindfulness, martial arts, or meditation, you will likely be able to find a method that works best for you.

Fight Aging with Aviv Clinics 

Aging manifests differently for everyone, but help is available. Aviv Clinic’s age-related decline program is based on research and has helped many clients restore the youthful vitality they seek and deserve. 

If you’d like to learn more about how you can boost your cognitive or physical performance while reversing the effects of aging, contact our team. 

 

Meditation and Brain Health: Benefits Backed by Science

 

The COVID-19 virus has left us all more stressed than ever before, but there’s one group of people that the pandemic has hit especially hard: older adults. A recent poll conducted by the National Poll on Healthy Aging interviewed 2,000 adults from the ages of 50 to 80. More than half (56%) of the participants reported struggling with feelings of isolation during the pandemic, a dramatic increase from 27% in the 2018 poll.

Long hours spent indoors away from family and friends can have us all feeling low, and the stress and loneliness can wreak havoc on your mental health. That’s why many older adults are turning to the practice of mindfulness meditation to cope with stressful feelings during the pandemic.

Just like washing your hands to get rid of germs, meditation is an excellent way to help cleanse your mind of troublesome thoughts, and practicing mindfulness can do more than just help you relax. Taking a few minutes out of your day to ground yourself in the present moment is one of the most rewarding things you can do for your mental health, and the benefits are backed by science.

The science-based Aviv Medical Program is centered on the innovative hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cognitive and physical training, plus nutrition coaching. Supportive wellness practices, such as meditation, help to create a truly holistic approach to enhancing cognitive and physical performance.

 

 

What is meditation? The art of mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation is the art of being present in the here and now.
It’s about taking a few minutes every day to clear your mind of distressing thoughts and engaging with what’s right in front of you.

Think of it as a workout for your brain. In the same way that you might lift weights to keep your body strong, meditation is a way to train your mind and increase your focus and awareness. It’s not a spiritual practice or a mystical art; it’s a learned skill and anyone can learn to meditate, regardless of age.

 

5 Benefits of meditation backed by science

There are several proven benefits to meditating regularly. Numerous studies have shown that mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga can improve all sorts of mental health problems. From easing anxiety and depression to stalling memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients, here are our top 5 benefits of meditation.

 

1. Slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Although many people dismiss lapses in memory recall as a side effect of growing older, there’s no scientific evidence to suggest memory loss is a natural side-effect of aging. On the contrary, forgetting valuable memories doesn’t have to be the new normal for older adults.

Meditation has been proven to improve memory recall in adults in as little as eight weeks. Research also shows promising results in the use of mindfulness to slow the progression of cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Patients who practiced mindfulness exercises reported reductions in cognitive decline and stress levels, and overall improvements to their quality of life.

Mindfulness isn’t only beneficial for those diagnosed with cognitive conditions, either. Studies have also shown that caregivers of those with cognitive impairments can benefit from the stress reduction of practicing meditation. In other words, everyone can benefit from the boost to cognitive centers of the brain.

 

2. Improves focus and keeps your brain sharp

Practicing mindfulness can keep your brain active and in good shape, no matter how good your memory is. You don’t have to be a seasoned expert. Even beginners can reap the benefits of mindfulness meditation.

In one study, participants who listened to a 10-minute meditation tape experienced increased attention spans and focus when completing a test compared to those who didn’t meditate beforehand. One researcher further confirmed that people who meditate regularly consistently perform better on focus-related tasks. The same study also found that meditation calms the areas of the brain associated with mind-wandering and spontaneous thoughts, helping you stay focused on what you are doing in the present.

 

3. Combats insomnia

Getting a good night’s rest is more important than ever for seniors and older adults. Sleep is the vital period when our minds cleanse themselves of harmful waste. Yet current research estimates 10-30% of people are affected by chronic insomnia, with older adults showing more susceptibility to sleep disturbances.

A randomized trial found that mindfulness meditation significantly improved sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults. The lowered stress levels provided by meditation helps clear your mind from troubling thoughts, which can make sleep come easier. If you have trouble sleeping at night, turn off your screens and try meditating for a few minutes before bed.

 

4. Fights anxiety

Although everyone worries from time to time, harboring too much stress in your body can be unhealthy. According to researchers, anywhere from 3-14% of all older adults meet the diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. Unchecked anxiety and stress can worsen health conditions like fibromyalgia and lead to other mental health problems like depression.

If you want to take control of your anxious thoughts, meditation may be the solution. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can alleviate symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and reduce stress levels, helping you clear your mind of fears and worries.

 

5. Improves depression and overall mood

Loneliness was already a common problem among older adults and retirees, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse. Going out in public and visiting your family isn’t an option for many older adults, and the isolation can worsen feelings of loneliness and despair

Practicing mindfulness can help you manage these difficult emotions and improve your overall mood. Studies have shown that mindfulness training reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation, helping participants be happier in the present moment.

Mindfulness training has been shown to help reduce feelings of depression in adults. Those who practiced meditation therapy reported fewer symptoms of depression compared to their counterparts who didn’t meditate at all. Practicing mindfulness every day reminds you not to stress over every little thing, helping you stay calmer and more in control of your emotions.

 

How to start a mindfulness meditation practice

You don’t need any special equipment or training to get started. All you need is a comfortable place to sit and the willingness to give it a try. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Find a quiet space where you can relax, free from distractions.
If you’re inside, make sure that all televisions and electronic devices are turned off.

2. Sit in a comfortable position and breathe gently.

3. Pay attention to each inhale and exhale.

4. Focus on all the sensations of your body as you breathe.

5. Release any tensions you may be holding until you are completely relaxed.

6. Continue to breathe in and out as you focus on your body’s inner sensations.

7. If your mind wanders, that’s ok. Just re-focus on your breathing and start again.

8. Keep going for 5-10 minutes or as long as you’d like to meditate.

Try to meditate at the same time every day to establish a routine. If you don’t want to sit in silence, you can find guided sessions via apps on your smart devices, or you can play some calming music to help you focus. For added benefits, try meditating outside on the porch or in a garden. Doing your daily session in nature can calm you even further, helping you make the most of your mindfulness practice.

 

The bottom line

Mindfulness meditation is one of the most positive things you can do for your mental health and emotional well-being. It doesn’t take long to do, either. Having a simple routine to keep your mind in-shape can show benefits across all areas of your life. From improving memory recall to lowering stress levels and improving your sleep, practicing meditation can keep you more engaged in the present moment, helping you stay happy and calm during the best years of your life.

Aviv Clinics delivers a highly effective, science-based treatment protocol to enhance brain performance and improve symptoms of conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, fibromyalgia, Lyme, and dementia. The Aviv Medical Program’s intensive treatment protocol uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy and takes a holistic approach that includes brain training to achieve optimal results. Based on over a decade of research and development, the Aviv Medical Program is customized to your needs.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Decreases Chronic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic complaint commonly associated with musculoskeletal pain fatigue, non-restorative sleep, and other symptoms impacting on mood and memory, Fibromyalgia affects approximately ten million Americans. Globally, estimates range between 3% and 6%, predominantly women.

Enduring pain disorders, and Fibromyalgia specifically, result from a defective nervous system. Fibromyalgia is not congenital; instead, symptoms develop over time, often as a reaction to external influences including infection, physical trauma, or emotional factors. However, it is unclear and frequently impossible to determine what activates the condition.

HBOT as Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia doesn’t directly impact the muscles or joints; rather, it affects the manner nerves interpret and communicates pain messages to the brain. Consequently, pain thresholds are much lower, complicating effective treatment. In the absence of physical therapy such as fixing a torn tendon, the standard therapeutic reaction is to treat these ailments pharmaceutically.  However, non-prescription pain relievers aren’t sufficiently strong enough to effectively provide relief. Prescription pain relievers, including opioids, decrease in their effectiveness over time and carry many other risks, not least addiction.

In the search for non-pharmaceutical solutions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being investigated as a potential treatment for chronic pain complaints. The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), an autonomous agency charged with sourcing, reviewing, and précising clinical research into new medicines and medical devices. Recently, the Agency published a detailed study HBOT as a potential therapy for chronic pain in adults.

The resultant article “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness,” CADTH examined multiple studies. Sixty women with Fibromyalgia were examined in one study. They were treated with HBOT sessions of five days 12 weeks. It determined that HBOT therapy elevated pain increased pain thresholds and other quality of life indicators whilst lowering the quantity on of tender points and emotional stress. Following treatment, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging showed that parts of the brain that had previously revealed abnormalities had normalized.

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) a potential treatment for chronic pain.

A different study assessed 30 myofascial pain syndrome sufferers — an acute pain disorder affecting the muscles and connective tissues. These patients were treated with HBOT sessions five days per week for only a fortnight.  Notwithstanding this brief timeframe, HBOT boosted pain thresholds whilst decreasing physical and mental dysfunctions.

The data was uncertain concerning the cost benefits. Though the CADTH report was equivocal as to the cost-effective of HBOT over prescription pain killers, there was much greater certainty that HBOT is the safer of the two.

The limited period of these studies of HBOT therapy means that more extensive research is needed to explore further potential and confirm the conclusions. Early indications, however, were very encouraging.

A treatment based on this unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol is now available at Aviv Clinics, JLT, Dubai U.A.E.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Induces Cognitive Function: New Study Shows

In the past hundred years, life expectancy has risen from 55 to 80. A critical focus of medicine and healthcare in general, innovative drug therapies, medical devices, and other aspects of modern diagnostic, treatment, and recovery have all played a role in this. The emphasis is now shifting to extending ‘healthspan’ to match lifespan. There are, of course, limits to the physical capabilities of the body but one vital organ, traditionally associated with modern treatment, is proving highly responsive to new therapies. Brain functions can not only be kept from decline but even improved.

Lifestyle changes, specifically diet, physical and mental exercise, have long been recognized to increase cognitive function as we get older.  Foods, fitness machines and applications abound explicitly aimed for the older generation. But the elixir of a drug or other therapies that significantly fight age-linked cognitive decline has so far proved elusive.

A recently published study by researchers from Israel has shown that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is emerging as an essential therapy in reversing an age-related decline in cognitive function.

 

HBOT as an enhancer of brain function

Dr Shai Efrati, Dr Amir Hadanny and a team at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center, lead researchers of a new study published in the peer-review journal, Aging, demonstrated the benefits of an HBOT therapeutic protocol created at the Shamir Medical Center.

The study was a collaboration between the Sackler School of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University.

The study was the first controlled clinical and randomized trial exploring the effect of HBOT on cognitive functions in fit ageing adults. It determined that HBOT was especially beneficial for the participants in improving comprehensive cognitive functions: attention, information processing speed and executive functions.

HBOT is emerging as an essential therapy in reversing an age-related decline in cognitive function.

HBOT’s role in reversing Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Dr Efrati issued a statement marking the publication of the study, in which he underlines the consequences and concerns related to decline in cognitive and functional ability in highly-developed societies:

“Major research efforts around the world are focused on improving the cognitive performance of the so-called ‘normal’ ageing population,” Dr Efrati said. “In our study, for the first time in humans, we have found an effective and safe medical intervention that can address this unwanted consequence of our age-related deterioration.”

Dr Hadanny added the treatment has now been in use for several years and scientists have begun to comprehend how brain function can be restored with HBOT.

“In the past, we have demonstrated HBOT’s potential to improve/treat brain injuries such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and anoxic brain injury (due to sustained lack of oxygen supply) by increasing brain blood flow and metabolism,” Dr Hadanny concluded: “This landmark research could have a far-reaching impact on the way we view the ageing process and the ability to treat its symptoms.”

Mechanism of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Though the brain accounts for only 2% of body mass, it utilizes over 20% of an individual’s oxygen intake, much of the cause of a decline in physical and cognitive functioning can be ascribed to a decrease in efficiency of oxygen processing associated with ageing.

The HBOT protocol targets this problem by placing patients in a pressurized suite where they breathe 100% oxygen. This raised oxygen in the body tissue by between 10 to 15 times above normal. Not only do overall oxygen levels increase, but the fluctuations in the oxygen levels in the body leads to the release of growth factors and stem cells that promote healing.

Conclusions on oxygen and brain function

The study enrolled sixty-three healthy, vigorous adults who were subjected to HBOT for two hours a day, five days a week, for three months. Their cognitive function was measured by using a comprehensive series of computerized cognitive appraisals. Cerebral blood flow was quantified by using a magnetic resonance imaging technique that observes the journey blood takes through the organs and tissues, known as brain perfusion.

 

Amongst the essential conclusions of the analysis was the correlation between the above-noted improvements and cerebral blood flow to different areas of the brain.

The study swells the mass of data regarding the efficacy of HBOT in generating brain function. Noticeably, the combination of pure oxygen and higher pressure led to increases in tissue oxygenation whilst simultaneously focusing on pressure-sensitive genes. Combined, this enhanced and restored tissue metabolism.  This was the first time that such benefits had been observed in healthy patients as previous studies had focused on patients with cerebral impairments due to a range of conditions.

HBOT and reversal of cognitive decline in ageing

The improvements noted in the participants’ attention and cognitive processing speeds, possibly because of amplified blood flow to the brain. HBOT enhanced cerebral blood flow and regenerate brain cells and blood vessels in individuals with no brain damage. Previous studies had concentrated on the benefits to post-stroke, traumatic and anoxic brain injury

These improvements in overall cognitive function were still observable six months after treatment, Dr Efrati, writing in Psychology Today, proposed that the technique might even reverse damaged brain tissue. He further noted that this would be the first time an effective medical intervention had been observed to reverse age-related cognitive decline.

“Most drugs and interventions are at best slowing the expected decline,” he said. “For the first time in humans, we have discovered a way to regenerate the ageing brain — as can be seen by brain MRI — and enable us to gain back the cognitive function of our younger selves.”

The Aviv Clinics, JLT, Dubai U.A.E. is now using this very protocol to stimulate cognitive enhancement in healthy ageing adults.

 

Encouraging results in healing anoxic brain damage with Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

According to the CDC, “roughly 805,0000 Americans in the United States have a heart attack each year.” The resultant damage to the heart is well understood, but a cardiac arrest can have equal impact on the brain. 

Researchers found “cognitive impairments after OHCA [out-of-hospital cardiac arrest] are common and affect up to 50% [of patients].” These impairments involve “executive functions, memory, and processing speed.” 

Oxygen deprivation during the heart attack can lead to an anoxic brain injury. The effects of oxygen deprivation include diminished visual perception, cognition, expression, and more.

Fortunately, there is researched-based evidence that offers hope for anoxic brain injury treatment. And Aviv Clinics at The VillagesⓇ may have the resources and tools to unlock this potential. Keep reading to learn more.

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What Is Anoxic Brain Injury? 

Anoxic brain injury occurs when there is a complete lack of oxygen to the brain. After about four minutes of oxygen deprivation, brain cells begin to die. 

Here’s why and how: 

• Blood carries oxygen to the brain
• Malignant conditions (such as a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack) cause the blood flow to slow or get blocked. 
• Other circumstances like high altitude (where oxygen is lacking) and exposure to toxic substances (e.g., carbon monoxide) can also lead to restrictions in blood flow. 

What Are Symptoms of Anoxic Brain Damage?

Symptom of anoxic brain injury may include: 

• Headaches
• Difficulties with thinking, focusing, and memory 
• Mood swings 
• Loss of consciousness
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Seizures 
• Vision problems

Use of HBOT in Improving Brain Function

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a novel therapy that increases oxygen levels in the body up to 20 times higher than normal. This effect increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, providing the energy the brain and body need to revive self-healing mechanisms. 

What Research Says

A study from the Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reports HBOT “can induce neuroplasticity and improve cognitive functions of patients suffering from anoxic brain damage.”  This is valid many months—and sometimes years—after the cardiac event.

Research Method

The study assessed: 

• 11 cases of patients with chronic cognitive impairments (CCI) from cardiac arrest
• Patients’ neurocognitive abilities prior to HBOT treatment
• The overall functionality of patients’ daily activities
• Patients’ general well-being 
• Scans of affected areas, using new brain metabolism imaging equipment

All of these observations were carried out again, following treatment with HBOT. Patients were given “60 daily sessions” of HBOT—all of which were conducted “0.5–7.5 years after the cardiac arrest.”

Research Conclusion 

Notwithstanding the lengthy period following the cardiac event, HBOT treatment showed to have a substantial impact on the patients’ cognitive abilities: 

• Clinical changes were assessed through neurocognitive assessments. These tests showed a distinct correlation between the recorded results and improvements in the quality of life and ability to undertake daily activities.

• HBOT “was found to induce modest, but statistically significant improvement in memory, attention and executive function.”

• According to the authors of the study, HBOT is able to “reactivate neuronal activity by increasing plasma dissolved oxygen”. This approach delivers oxygen to the brain in a highly efficient manner.
• Thus, it is very probable HBOT will be a candidate for enhanced therapy for anoxic brain injury patients with the appropriate profile.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Brain Injuries 

In addition to anoxic brain damage, there are other types of brain injuries—several of which may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 

For example: 

• One study reports “in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the addition of HBOT significantly improved outcome and quality of life and reduced the risk of complications.” As it is definitely possible to have a TBI and not know it, further research notes HBOT can “improve post concussion syndrome years after mild traumatic brain injury.” 
• Another research study conducted HBOT on post-stroke patients in the chronic stage between 2008–2018. Results concluded that: 
  • “HBOT induces significant improvements in all cognitive domains even in the late chronic stage.”
  • “HBOT induced a significant increase in all the cognitive function domains (p < 0.05), with 86% of the stroke victims achieving CSI [clinically significant improvements].”

• In a study that conducted HBOT on 73 long-COVID patients with “persisting physical, neurocognitive, and neuropsychological symptoms,” clinical outcomes illustrated “significant improvement in brain MRI perfusion and microstructural changes in the supramarginal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, right insula, left frontal precentral gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and superior corona radiata.”

Get Back to Optimal Performance with Aviv Clinics

A unique protocol based on Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment was clearly shown to help heal anoxic brain damage. This protocol is available at the Aviv Clinic at the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood, The Villages, Florida.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, contact the clinic.

This protocol is available at the Aviv Clinics, JLT, Dubai U.A.E.
For more information, or to schedule a consultation, contact the clinic. 

Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Improve Memory Function?

Recent research led by Dr. Gil Suzin, head of neurocognitive operations at Aviv Scientific, found evidence that oxygen is a rate limiting factor for memory enhancement even in healthy young subjects without memory or neurological impairments. The results of this study indicate that memory function is a continuum that does not reach its maximal ceiling effect at the normal sea level environment even in healthy young individuals.

The research group recruited 56 participants between the ages of 20 and 39. They then randomly assigned each person either to increased oxygen supply using hyperbaric oxygen (two atmospheres of 100% oxygen) or to a control group treated with normal air at normal pressure (1 ATA).

 

 

The participants then did a battery of tests that evaluated performance of major cognitive domains, including information processing speed, episodic memory, working memory, cognitive flexibility and attention.

From all the evaluated domains, study participants who received hyperbaric oxygen experienced an improvement in their episodic memory. This group demonstrated a better learning curve, which they demonstrated through the total number of words they recalled from a list of words read repetitively. They also showed higher memory resilience by preserving more words after an interference (an intermediate list of words).

In the study, published in the journal Biomedicals, researchers suggest that:

“the understanding that oxygen is a rate limiting factor for episodic memory even in healthy young adults and the insight that memory can be further enhanced while being in a hyper-oxygenized environment can be important for future development of interventional tools that can be used in daily clinical practice.”

For instance, there is cumulative evidence that patients coming to HBOT recover long-term repressed traumatic memories, and in some of the hyperbaric centers, recovery of repressed memory was added as a potential side effect to the informed consent. Surfacing of inaccessible memories can be crucial for treating diseases like PTSD and other amnestic conditions where knowing the history is essential.

Understanding the biology responsible for our ability to recall specific experiences and also understanding that this ability can be enhanced by HBOT, gives us a powerful tool that can be used for those who needs it.

For more information about how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can improve memory function,
or to schedule a consultation, contact Aviv Clinics, JLT, Dubai U.A.E.