Hyperbaric Oxygen Alzeihmers

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is progressive, neurodegenerative disease. It is most common in people ages 60-85, and the risk increases significantly as age increases. Memory impairment is typically the first symptom of AD, while problems with thinking, decision-making, simple task execution, and motor movements increase as the disease progresses(1,2).  Symptoms of AD are caused by amyloid plaques and tau aggregates, which result in brain tissue inflammation, disrupted synapses, and nerve cell degeneration(3). Recent research suggests that decreased oxygen levels in the brain (due to decreased blood flow) causes amyloid plaque formation and the associated brain tissue damage(4, 5). Current AD treatments only target symptoms of AD and include cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists(6). However these classes of medications can have many adverse side effects and do not treat the rood cause of AD(7,8).

 

Extivita Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease:

  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
  • Neurofeedback
  • Nutritional IV Therapy
  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Schedule an Appointment

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is progressive, neurodegenerative disease. It is most common in people ages 60-85, and the risk increases significantly as age increases. Memory impairment is typically the first symptom of AD, while problems with thinking, decision-making, simple task execution, and motor movements increase as the disease progresses(1,2).  Symptoms of AD are caused by amyloid plaques and tau aggregates, which result in brain tissue inflammation, disrupted synapses, and nerve cell degeneration(3). Recent research suggests that decreased oxygen levels in the brain (due to decreased blood flow) causes amyloid plaque formation and the associated brain tissue damage(4, 5). Current AD treatments only target symptoms of AD and include cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists(6). However these classes of medications can have many adverse side effects and do not treat the rood cause of AD(7,8).

 

Extivita Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease:

Schedule an Appointment

Extivita Therapies Alzheimer’s Disease:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurofeedback Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurofeedback

Supplements for Alzheimer’s Disease

Supplements

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Nutritional IV Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) for Alzheimer’s Disease

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease - Chapel Hill

HBOT may have benefits for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) because it directly affects the underlying causes of AD while maintaining a low risk of potential side effects(9). HBOT significantly increases blood flow and oxygen concentration in the brain, which are two of the potential underlying causes of AD(10, 11). In animal models of AD, HBOT has been shown to decrease the formation, size, and number of amyloid plaques as well as reduce the formation of tau aggregates(12).

 

In addition, HBOT decreases neuroinflammation, a main issue in AD(12, 13). The effects of HBOT on blood flow, oxygen levels, amyloid plaques, and inflammation in the brain suggest its potential as a low-risk treatment for AD.

Effects of HBOT on Stroke:

Decreases Inflammation

Decreased Inflammation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing proinflammatory genes.

Grows New Blood Vessels

New Blood Vessel Formation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.

Increases Stem Cell Production

Increased Stem Cell Activity

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.

Neurofeedback Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease in Durham, NC

Neurofeedback:

Neurofeedback (NF) has the potential to improve the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Electroencephalograms (EEG’s), which measure brainwave activity, have found that patients with AD have decreased alpha activity and increased delta and theta activity(14). Increasing peak alpha frequency has been shown to improve cognitive processing speed and executive function (but not memory) in older individuals who experience cognitive decline like that in AD(15). Decreasing theta amplitude has been shown to improve memory and stabilize cognitive function in aging populations as well as patients with AD(16). Therefore, research suggests that increasing alpha activity and decreasing theta activity may reduce the cognitive decline associated with AD.

 

Learn more about Neurofeedback…

IV Therapy:

We recommend both the Myer’s Cocktail IV and the Glutathione IV for reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The Myer’s IV contains Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by decreasing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation(17-18). Levels of Magnesium, which is also in the Myer’s IV, are low in many people with AD and may contribute to AD progression and cognitive decline(19). The Glutathione IV is composed of the master antioxidant Glutathione, and its levels are low in the brains of people with AD(20). Low glutathione levels have been directly correlated to decreased cognitive function in AD, therefore increasing its levels through IV therapy may reduce the risk of AD(20-22). Glutathione also has strong potential to decrease the oxidative stress heavily involved in AD(22).

 

Learn more about IV Therapy…

Nutritional IV Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease in Durham, NC

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) for Alzheimer’s Disease in Durham, NC

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF):

Pulse electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) therapy may counteract some of the harmful underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is known that people with both AD and mild cognitive decline (which can lead to AD) have decreased blood flow (hypoperfusion) in certain regions of the brain(4, 23). Hypoperfusion results in decreased oxygen levels in the brain, an issue that has been implicated in the progression of AD(4, 5). PEMF can increase microcirculation in the brain, therefore combating hypoperfusion and low oxygen levels that likely contribute to AD(24).

 

Learn more about PEMF Therapy…​

Recent Alzheimer’s Disease News & Research:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia with positron emission tomography imaging: a case report.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia with positron emission tomography imaging: a case report.

Sep 1, 2018 |

A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) which was rapidly progressive in the 8 months prior to initiation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging demonstrated global and typical metabolic deficits in AD (posterior temporal-parietal watershed and cingulate areas). An 8-week course of HBOT reversed the patient’s symptomatic decline. Repeat PET imaging demonstrated a corresponding 6.5-38% regional and global increase in brain metabolism, including increased metabolism in the typical AD diagnostic areas of the brain.

read more

References
  1. “Alzheimers Disease” 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447.
  2. “Stages of Alzheimer’s.” Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed August 7, 2019. https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages.
  3. Selkoe, Dennis J, and John Hardy. “The Amyloid Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease at 25 Years.” EMBO Molecular Medicine 8, no. 6 (June 2016): 595–608. https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.201606210.
  4. Nishimura, Tsunehiko, et al. “Decreased Cerebral Blood Flow and Prognosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Multicenter HMPAO-SPECT Study.” Annals of Nuclear Medicine, vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 15–23. Springer Link, doi:10.1007/BF03033995.
  5. Zhang, Feng, et al. “Impacts of Acute Hypoxia on Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice and Their Wild Type Littermates.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 12, May 2018. PubMed Central, doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00314.
  6. “How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Treated?” National Institute on Aging. Accessed August 8, 2019. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-treated.
  7. Singh, Ravneet, and Nazia M. Sadiq. “Cholinesterase Inhibitors.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2020. PubMed, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544336/.
  8. Ali, Thibault B., et al. “Adverse Effects of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Dementia, According to the Pharmacovigilance Databases of the United-States and Canada.” PLoS ONE, vol. 10, no. 12, Dec. 2015. PubMed Central, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144337.
  9. Heyboer, Marvin, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Side Effects Defined and Quantified.” Advances in Wound Care, vol. 6, no. 6, June 2017, pp. 210–24. PubMed Central, doi:10.1089/wound.2016.0718.
  10. Tal, Sigal, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen May Induce Angiogenesis in Patients Suffering from Prolonged Post-Concussion Syndrome Due to Traumatic Brain Injury.” Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 33, no. 6, IOS Press, Jan. 2015, pp. 943–51. content.iospress.com, doi:10.3233/RNN-150585.
  11. Choudhury, Ryan. “Hypoxia and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Review.” International Journal of General Medicine, vol. Volume 11, Nov. 2018, pp. 431–42. ResearchGate, doi:10.2147/IJGM.S172460.
  12. Shapira, Ronit, Beka Solomon, Shai Efrati, Dan Frenkel, and Uri Ashery. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Ameliorates Pathophysiology of 3xTg-AD Mouse Model by Attenuating Neuroinflammation.” Neurobiology of Aging 62 (2018): 105–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.10.007.
  13. Thom, Stephen R. “Hyperbaric Oxygen – Its Mechanisms and Efficacy.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 127, no. Suppl 1, Jan. 2011, pp. 131S-141S. PubMed Central, doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181fbe2bf.
  14. Lizio, Roberta, et al. “Electroencephalographic Rhythms in Alzheimer’s Disease.” International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 2011, Hindawi, 12 May 2011, p. e927573, doi:https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/927573.
  15. Angelakis, Efthymios, et al. “EEG Neurofeedback: A Brief Overview and an Example of Peak Alpha Frequency Training for Cognitive Enhancement in the Elderly.” The Clinical Neuropsychologist, vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 110–29. PubMed, doi:10.1080/13854040600744839.
  16. Luijmes, Robin E., et al. “The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback on Cognitive Functioning in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: Preliminary Results.” Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 46, no. 3, June 2016, pp. 179–87. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2016.05.069.
  17. Yao, Yuemang et al. “Brain inflammation and oxidative stress in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer-like brain amyloidosis.” Journal of neuroinflammation vol. 1,1 21. 22 Oct. 2004, doi:10.1186/1742-2094-1-21
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  19. Chui, Dehau, et al. “Magnesium in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Magnesium in the Central Nervous System, edited by Robert Vink and Mihai Nechifor, University of Adelaide Press, 2011. PubMed, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507256/.
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  24. Bragin, Denis E., et al. “Increases in Microvascular Perfusion and Tissue Oxygenation via Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in the Healthy Rat Brain.” Journal of Neurosurgery, vol. 122, no. 5, May 2015, pp. 1239–47. PubMed Central, doi:10.3171/2014.8.JNS132083.