Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Autism

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been explored as a potential treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While research on its effectiveness is ongoing, some studies suggest HBOT may have benefits for individuals with ASD, although more evidence is needed to fully understand its role in treatment. This is what HBOT India has to say.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental impairment that results from anomalies in the brain. Some ASD sufferers have a recognized distinction, like a genetic disorder. ASD is thought to have several underlying reasons that interact to alter how people typically develop.

What happens in people with ASD?

People with ASD usually behave, communicate, interact, and learn differently from most other persons. ASD usually manifests before the age of three and can last the rest of a person’s life, though symptoms occasionally become better with age. ASD symptoms can appear in some kids within the first year of life. Others might not experience symptoms until they are 24 months old or older. Some ASD children develop new skills and reach developmental milestones up until the age of 18 to 24 months, at which point they cease doing so or lose the abilities they previously possessed.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

People mostly affected by autism show different signs and symptoms of the disease. CBC’s Autism & Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network indicates that 1 in 44 kids has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to parent reports, almost 1 in 6 (17%) children between the ages of 3 and 17 were identified as having a developmental disability between 2009 and 2017.

• Lack of social communication
• Lack of interaction
• Restricted behaviour
• Develop unusual ways of learning and paying attention
• Low IQ
• Difficulty in making friends
• Speech disability

Diagnosis

Autism is diagnosed based on the behaviour shown by the child during development. The blood test is often recommended for the diagnosis of autism. To determine a diagnosis, doctors consider the child’s behaviour and developmental stage. ASD can occasionally be identified in children as young as 18 months. By the age of 2, a professional’s diagnosis may be trusted. However, many kids do not get a definitive diagnosis until they are older. Some patients do not receive a diagnosis until they are teenagers or adults. People with ASD may not receive the early assistance they require because of this delay. Screening tests are recommended for different age groups to diagnose properly. During routine well-child visits at these ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises developmental and behavioral screening for all kids at the age of 9 months, 1 year and 3 years.

Psychophysiology of ASD

Autism may develop after conception, according to research on genetic inheritance and neuroanatomical development. Children with autism tend to have larger heads and brains. Key brain areas with local over connectivity due to an excess of neurons. Early in pregnancy, there is disturbed neural migration. Excitation-inhibitory networks that are out of balance may lead to ASD. Abnormal immunological activity at crucial stages of neurodevelopment is a factor in the development of some ASD sub-types. Autism has been associated with several neurotransmitter disorders, most notably elevated blood serotonin levels. It is uncertain if these result in structural or behavioral issues. It has been established that immunological dysregulation and GI disorders contribute to the parthenogenesis of autism. An immunological imbalance may also result from recurrent GI illnesses and leads to ASD.

Risk Factors and Causes

Various risk factors can increase the risk of the child developing autism. Environmental, biological, and genetic factors are only a few of the many that have been shown to increase a child’s risk of having ASD.

• Genetic causes of ASD in the family
• Some genetic diseases such as tuber sclerosis or fragile X syndrome-complications during birth
• Lower birth weight
• Children born to over-aged parents
• Mutation in the CHD8 gene, allergies, environmental toxins and dysregulation in immune response

What therapies and treatments can be used for ASD?

The goal of current therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is to lessen symptoms that affect everyday life and quality of life. Several types of treatments are used for ASD patients.

1. Behavioral Approaches

Behavioral techniques concentrate on altering behaviors by comprehending what takes place before and following the behaviour. The most effective methods for addressing ASD symptoms are behavioral ones. Applied Behavior Analysis is a well-known behavioral therapy for people with ASD (ABA). To enhance many skills, ABA promotes desired behaviour while discouraging undesirable ones. Progress is monitored and quantified.

2. Developmental Approaches

Developmental approaches concentrate on enhancing a narrow range of interconnected developmental abilities, such as language skills or motor skills, or a broader range of developmental abilities. Behavioral and developmental techniques are frequently integrated. For those with ASD, speech and language therapy is the most popular developmental therapy. The person’s comprehension and use of speech and language are both improved by speech and language therapy. The goals of occupational therapy are to help the patient live as independently as feasible. Dressing, eating, taking a shower, and interacting with others are examples of skills.

3. Educational Approaches

Treatments for education are provided in a classroom setting. The Treatment & Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) approach is one form of educational strategy. The foundation of TEACCH is the notion that persons with autism benefit from consistency and visual learning. It gives teachers options for changing the setup of the classroom to enhance academic and other results.

4. Social Relational Approaches

The goals of social-relational therapies are to increase social competence and foster close relationships. Parents or peer mentors may be used in several social-relational strategies.

5. Pharmacological Approaches

The primary signs and symptoms of ASD cannot be treated by medicine. Co-occurring symptoms are treated with several drugs, which can improve ASD patients’ functioning. For instance, medication may be used to regulate excessive energy, difficulty concentrating, or self-destructive tendencies like head banging or hand biting. Medication can be used to treat medical diseases including seizures, sleep disorders, and stomach or other gastrointestinal issues in addition to co-occurring psychological conditions like anxiety or depression.

Hyperbaric Oxygen as Effective Medicine for Autism

By applying pure oxygen at high pressure (about 2-3 atmospheres), Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and tissues (Hypoxia). It involves being exposed to pure oxygen (O2) concentrations at high atmospheric pressures. According to the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, this pressure may be greater than or equivalent to 1.4 atmospheres (ATM) (UHMS). While confined in an area with a minimum pressure of 2 ATA, patients must only breathe oxygen for all the existing UH-MS-approved purposes. For hyperbaric medicine to work, there needs to be a pressure environment that is greater than the air pressure at sea level. A pressure chamber, which can have a flexible or rigid form, and a mechanism to deliver 100% oxygen are required for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. A predetermined plan is followed by trained professionals who keep an eye on the patient and change the timetable as needed.

Because HBOT may boost brain perfusion, it has been hypothesized that children with autism may gain from the therapy. Breathing in oxygen at pressures exceeding atmospheric pressure may increase the arterial partial pressure of oxygen, increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain.

For autism, how many HBOT sessions are required?

When teenagers with ASD received 20 sessions of HBOT at 1.5 ATM/100% oxygen, researchers discovered significant gains in their ability to colour, speak, and take care of themselves. Children can benefit from HBOT in the same ways that adults do, and since it is a non-invasive technique, it may often be a better option. Inflammation and an absence of oxygen in the brain are linked to autism. The theory is that some of the symptoms of autism can be lessened by rapidly forcing considerable amounts of oxygen into the body in a hyperbaric chamber. This method entails spending 90 minutes per session lying in a hyperbaric chamber. Depending on the person’s financial situation, different numbers of sessions may be required.

Numerous studies have connected ASD in children to increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes oxidative damage to DNA and cells. Changes in inflammation that damage brain cells and severely impede metabolism may be the cause of autism. HBOT may exacerbate oxidative stress by increasing the oxygen supply to mitochondria. 48 autistic youngsters underwent daily HBOT at a pressure of 1.3 ATM in one experiment. The results showed that oxidative stress was considerably reduced for up to 32 days following the initiation of the therapy. This study highlights the potential benefits of HBOT therapy for improving brain function and boosting energy in children with autism. As pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon, tumour necrosis factor, and interleukin’s 1 and 6) decline.

HBOT could reduce mitochondrial dysfunction and increase the generation of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, the literature study has provided solid evidence that HBOT can alleviate ASD symptoms, such as the following recoveries observed:

• Malfunctioning mitochondria
• Immune dysregulation and oxidative stress
• Inflammatory response
• Hypo perfusion of the brain