Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects as many as 1 out of 166
children in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with
little hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and
behavioral therapy; medical science currently has little to offer.
Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to
the brain, evidence of inflammation in the brain, and increased markers of oxidative stress.
Multiple independent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission
tomography (PET) research studies have revealed hypoperfusion to several areas of the
autistic brain, most notably the temporal regions and areas specifically related to language
comprehension and auditory processing. Several studies show that diminished blood flow to
these areas correlates with many of the clinical features associated with autism including
repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication,
sensory perception, and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used
with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion syndromes including cerebral palsy,
fetal alcohol syndrome, closed head injury, and stroke. HBOT can compensate for decreased
blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize
oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT has potent
anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent evidence
demonstrates that HBOT mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow which may aid recovery in
neurodegenerative diseases. Based upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will
improve symptoms in autistic individuals.
The purpose of this study is to determine if HBOT improves clinical outcomes in children with
autism. The study will also determine if HBOT changes markers of inflammation and oxidative
stress in autistic children.
Abstract: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States. Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased cerebral perfusion, evidence of neuroinflammation, and...
Abstract: Recent studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduces neutrophil endothelial adherence in venules and also blocks the progressive arteriolar vasoconstriction associated with ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in the extremities and the...
This study will look at the changes taking place in the blood levels of key markers of
oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the biological equivalent of rust on a car. It changes
vital cell chemistry. It is known to occur at high pressure oxygen, but little is known about
changes at pressures slightly greater than normal atmospheric pressure.
Hyperbaric therapy is used in a variety of medical conditions. It is being tested in this
study only for safety. It is not being assessed for the ability of hyperbaric oxygen to
improve the clinical condition of children with autism.
This study was felt to be important since autism appears to be associated with oxidative
stress and hyperbarics was being used "off-label" for this condition without safety studies.
