Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Research Indications and Emerging Role in Neurological Illnesses

The basis of treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen in neurology cases is the presence of an ischemic penumbra having hibernating neurons that can be revived. This area can be delineated with the help of SPECT and perfusion MRIs. The Hyperbaric Unit at the Apollo Hospital has treated 165 patients with various neurological illnesses over the years from its inception in May 2000 till May 2005. The unpredictable correlation between the structural model of neurology and the functional responses in patients is leading to a belief that there is more to the plasticity of the brain than was earlier believed. The treatment was prescribed with the intent of gaining first hand experience on response to Hyperbaric Oxygen in neurological illnesses and did not follow a predefined protocol. On the basis of our preliminary experience we are of the opinion that there appears evidence of a physiological basis for a possible role of Hyperbaric Oxygen in management of well-defined ischemic and anoxic neurological illnesses. There is however a need for definition of specific indications, patient selection, therapeutic window period, dosage, frequency, and periodicity.