‘Oxygen therapy’ could help reverse cognitive decline in old age

A new study has suggested that it may be possible to enhance cognitive function into later years of life. The research was completed by an Israeli team from the Sagol Center For Hyperbaric Research at Shamir Medical Center. It was published in Aging Journal. Life expectancy in the US has increased by a whopping 24 years over the last century. But this seemingly dramatic improvement in life extension also comes with the age-related deterioration that results in multiple physical and cognitive diseases. Longevity research has picked up in the last few years as both scientists and investors focus on breakthroughs that could help unlock the proverbial fountain of youth. Rather than just add years to someone’s lifespan, researchers are looking into how they can extend the vigor and sharpness of mind we have in our youth into our golden years. Ongoing research has explored both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise, diet, and cognitive training. While various drugs and potential treatments are in the pipeline, they are yet to show significant improvements in cognition. But this may be about to change as science turns the corner on enhancing cognition in healthy adults. The Israeli team investigated 63 healthy adults over the age of 64. Study participants were evaluated for baseline measurements at the beginning of the study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate blood flow in the brain, while a standard platform was used to assess cognitive performance. The team then placed the study subjects in a hyperbaric chamber (pressured gas chamber) for 2 hours daily, 5 days a week, over a period of 3 months. Cognitive measurements were then made after this 3-month duration. Researchers found that those who were exposed to daily HBOT treatments (the application of 100% oxygen in a pressured environment) recorded improvements in cognitive function when compared to the control group. The treated participants showed significant improvements in cognitive performance in the areas of executive function, information processing speed, attention, general awareness, and acuity. “In past research, we had observed HBOT’s ability to treat acute insults to the brain – in stroke patients, traumatic brain injury, fibromyalgia – even PTSD, we were able to treat injured brains and help regenerate tissue and recover function. This study was entirely different. We saw that in healthy adults, without a specific injury or insult to the brain, we could regenerate brain cells and blood vessels and improve cerebral blood flow. Improved blood flow means red blood cells can bring more oxygen to previously underserved areas of the brain that stagnate with age. This enabled our healthy patients to actually improve their cognitive function,” said Amir Hadanny, a Chief Medical Research Officer and co-author of the study. The data collected in the study proved that hyperbaric therapy can improve cognitive abilities in healthy adults. It sets a new precedent in how we think of aging. “Until now there has not been an effective medical intervention that can reverse expected age-related cognitive decline. Most drugs and interventions are at best slowing the expected decline. For the first time in humans we have a way to regenerate the aging brain — as can be seen by brain MRI — and enable us to gain back the cognitive function of our younger selves,” said professor Shai Efrati, Head of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research. The team is now assessing the long-term potential of this treatment. If all goes well, this could be the first step towards treating various forms of cognitive decline.