Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Autism

Autism is a neuro-developmental condition which affects how a child perceives regular stimulations or occurrences, which ideally do not necessarily create any unrest in neurotypical individuals. Therapeutic Options for autism consists of various exercises & procedures such as occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, speech therapy, and even stem cell therapy.

Recent research has discovered that one of the possible causes of autism is a decreased flow of fresh or oxygenated blood to the brain. This causes an acute inflammation in the brain and also increases the level of oxidative stress. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for autism is one of the most effective ways to regain the normal oxygen supply to the brain.

Research in positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have revealed hypo-perfusion decrease the blood flow through several areas of the brain, particularly the temporal regions, and areas related to language and auditory processing. The diminished blood flow results in symptoms correlated to autism including repetitive behaviour, aggression, stereotypical behaviours, inability to communication, social interaction, etc.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for autism is a treatment that has become quite popular amongst the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community. It compensates for the reduced oxygenated blood supply by increasing the oxygen in the plasma and body tissues of patients with autism. 

One time brain mapping can help detect early damage to areas of the individual’s brain, especially in the cerebellum. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for autism can regularize the oxygen levels in the ischemic tissue of the brain suppressing the inflammatory effects and reducing oxidative stress. Besides autism, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also aid recovery in neuro-degenerative diseases like cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, etc.

A significant increase in the ratio of cerebral blood flow to the different regions of the brain after HBOT has been observed to improve several autism symptoms.

Conclusion

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for autism has become a very popular mode of treatment in the autism spectrum disorder community. It benefits in improving a range of autistic traits such as improved language, socialization and pleasant behaviour.