Update: HBOT for Alzheimer's Disease

Today we have upgraded our Alzheimer's Disease page. We have also downgraded our Evidence Index score, from scant to none, because we now distinguish Alzheimer's from other forms of dementia. Vascular dementia, in particular, merits a separate discussion. But that's another blogpost.

Our new HyperbaricLink Commentary sums up our view:

Alzheimer’s presents a nonvascular and seemingly irreversible mechanism of brain cell death and tissue loss. The biologic mechanism of age-related dementias differs greatly from vascular dementia and also from intracranial abscess and acute traumatic ischemias, two conditions for which hyperbaric oxygen is FDA-cleared to fight infection and aid in healing healthy brain tissue. Weak evidence from primary research and clinical trials does not support the use of hyperbaric oxygen for Alzheimer’s disease. Patients and families should be wary of bolder claims.

Visitors and people affected by Alzheimer's will find helpful links under Patient Resources, and Clinical Resources provide a wealth of information for deeper study.

Alzheimer's has struck our families, as it has so many others. We'll keep our eyes peeled for any more encouraging clinical evidence.

See our June 7 post, "Diseases/Conditions Upgrades And Updates," for more information about our new page format. And look for regular updates in the days and weeks ahead.

[Illustration: Emiliano Ponzi, Northwestern University]