The history of HBOT for neurological applications

The history of HBOT for neurological applications is nearly forty years old and characterized by a surprising amount of animal and human research. For the most complete review of this topic, please see the 3rd edition of the K.K. Jain Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine. HBOT for neurological applications is a common practice in Russia, China, and Japan. There is published research on HBOT in a wide variety of acute and chronic neurological diseases. The general finding has been successful therapy with high pressure HBOT in the first few hours after a cerebral insult that tapers to lower pressures in the weeks to months following. Only low pressure HBOT has achieved success in chronic neurological injury except in the case of brain radiation necrosis and some cases of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. Inexplicably, there is stronger evidence for a number of off-label indications than there is for 6 of the approved indications (18,19). Attached are selected cases.

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18. Harch PG. Application of HBOT to acute neurological conditions. Hyperbaric Medicine 1999, The 7th Annual Advanced Symposium. The Adams Mark Hotel, Columbia, South Carolina, April 9-10, 1999.

19. Mitton C, Hailey D. Health technology assessment and policy decisions on hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Int J of Tech Assess in Health Care, 1999;15(4):661-70.